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Ecological site R115XB009MO

Shallow Limestone/Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodland

Last updated: 12/30/2024
Accessed: 09/01/2026

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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.

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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): 115X–Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes

This MLRA is characterized by deeply dissected, loess-covered hills bordering well defined valleys of the Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Wabash Rivers and their tributaries. It is used to produce cash crops and livestock. About one-third of the area is forested, mostly on the steeper slopes. This area is in Illinois (50 percent), Missouri (36 percent), Indiana (13 percent), and Iowa (1 percent) in two separate areas. It makes up about 25,084 square miles (64,967 square kilometers).

Most of this area is in the Till Plains section and the Dissected Till Plains section of the Central Lowland province of the Interior Plains. The Springfield-Salem plateaus section of the Ozarks Plateaus province of the Interior Highlands occurs along the Missouri River and the Mississippi River south of the confluence with the Missouri River. The nearly level to very steep uplands are dissected by both large and small tributaries of the Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Wabash Rivers. The Ohio River flows along the southernmost boundary of this area in Indiana. Well defined valleys with broad flood plains and numerous stream terraces are along the major streams and rivers. The flood plains along the smaller streams are narrow. Broad summits are nearly level to undulating. Karst topography is common in some parts along the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries. Well-developed karst areas have hundreds of sinkholes, caves, springs, and losing streams. In the St. Louis area, many of the karst features have been obliterated by urban development.

Elevation ranges from 90 feet (20 meters) on the southernmost flood plains to 1,030 feet (320 meters) on the highest ridges. Local relief is mainly 10 to 50 feet (3 to 15 meters) but can be 50 to 150 feet (15 to 45 meters) in the steep, deeply dissected hills bordering rivers and streams. The bluffs along the major rivers are generally 200 to 350 feet (60 to 105 meters) above the valley floor.

The uplands in this MLRA are covered almost entirely with Peoria Loess. The loess can be more than 7 feet (2 meters) thick on stable summits. On the steeper slopes, it is thin or does not occur. In Illinois, the loess is underlain mostly by Illinoian-age till that commonly contains a paleosol. Pre-Illinoian-age till is in parts of this MLRA in Iowa and Missouri and to a minor extent in the western part of Illinois. Wisconsin-age outwash, alluvial deposits, and sandy eolian material are on some of the stream terraces and on dunes along the major tributaries. The loess and glacial deposits are underlain by several bedrock systems. Pennsylvanian and Mississippian bedrock are the most extensive. To a lesser extent are Silurian, Devonian, Cretaceous, and Ordovician bedrock. Karst areas have formed where limestone is near the surface, mostly in the southern part of the MLRA along the Mississippi River and some of its major tributaries. Bedrock outcrops are common on the bluffs along the Mississippi, Ohio, and Wabash Rivers and their major tributaries and at the base of some steep slopes along minor streams and drainageways.

The annual precipitation ranges from 35 to 49 inches (880 to 1,250 millimeters) with a mean of 41 inches (1,050 millimeters). The annual temperature ranges from 48 to 58 degrees F (8.6 to 14.3 degrees C) with a mean of 54 degrees F (12.3 degrees C). The freeze-free period ranges from 150 to 220 days with a mean of 195 days.

Soils The dominant soil orders are Alfisols and, to a lesser extent, Entisols and Mollisols. The soils in the area have a mesic soil temperature regime, an aquic or udic soil moisture regime, and mixed or smectitic mineralogy. They are shallow to very deep, excessively drained to poorly drained, and loamy, silty, or clayey.

The soils on uplands in this area support natural hardwoods. Oak, hickory, and sugar maple are the dominant species. Big bluestem, little bluestem, and scattered oak and eastern redcedar grow on some sites. The soils on flood plains support mixed forest vegetation, mainly American elm, eastern cottonwood, river birch, green ash, silver maple, sweetgum, American sycamore, pin oak, pecan, and willow. Sedge and grass meadows and scattered trees are on some low-lying sites. (United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 2022)

LRU notes

The Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes, Western Part consists of deeply dissected, loess-covered hills bordering the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers as well as floodplains and terraces of these rivers. The Northern boundary runs along the South Fabius River valley separating it from the broad rounded interfluves of the northern till plain. A major physiographic feature within the LRU (Land Resource Unit) includes the Lincoln Hills region. The Lincoln Hills extend along the Mississippi River in Missouri, starting about 40 miles (64 kilometers) northwest of St. Louis and extending north to Hannibal. The Lincoln Hills partially escaped the most recent glaciation in the region during the Pleistocene. In geology and biology, they resemble the rugged and forested hills of the Ozark Highlands (MLRA 116A) more than the rolling plains of northern Missouri. The underlying limestone bedrock has formed bluffs, glades, caves, springs, and sinkholes. Elevation ranges from about 420 feet (128 meters) along the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, Missouri to about 830 feet (253 meters) near Clarksville along the Mississippi River upstream from St. Louis. High ridges near Hillsboro, Missouri can reach over 1,000 feet (305 meters). Underlying bedrock is mainly Ordovician-aged dolomite and sandstone, with Mississippian-aged limestone north of the Missouri River. Loess caps both stream and glacial outwash terraces along the major rivers along with Pre-Illinoisan till near the edges of the area.

Classification relationships

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) (USDA-NRCS, 2022):
115X–Central Mississippi Valley Wooded Slopes

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 (MDC, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a 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 in Land Type Associations of the following Subsections:
Inner Ozark Border
Outer Ozark Border
Mississippi River Hills

Ecological site concept

Shallow Limestone/Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodlands are mainly in the central part of the MLRA and adjacent areas. They commonly occur on Ordovician-aged dolomite, and are typically associated with Chert Limestone/Dolomite and Calcareous Limestone/Dolomite ecological sites. Soils are very shallow to limestone or dolomite 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

F115XB014MO	Chert Limestone/Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest Chert Limestone/Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests are generally upslope on north and east aspects.
F115XB046MO	Chert Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland Chert Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodlands are generally upslope on south and west aspects.

F115XB014MO

Chert Limestone/Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest

Chert Limestone/Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests are generally upslope on north and east aspects.

F115XB046MO

Chert Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodland

Chert Limestone/Dolomite Exposed Backslope Woodlands are generally upslope on south and west aspects.

Similar sites

R115XB052MO	Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodland Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodlands are on shallow soils but over sandstone bedrock.

R115XB052MO

Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodland

Shallow Sandstone Backslope Glade/Woodlands are on shallow soils but over sandstone bedrock.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus muehlenbergii
Shrub	(1) Celtis tenuifolia (2) Rhus aromatica
Herbaceous	(1) Schizachyrium scoparium (2) Bouteloua curtipendula

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Physiographic features

This site is on upland crests, shoulders and moderate backslopes with slopes predominantly in the 3 to 50 percent range. 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 Held, 1978) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships among the major ecological sites in the uplands. The site is within the area labeled “3”. These sites are typically associated with Chert Limestone/Dolomite and Calcareous Limestone/Dolomite ecological sites, as well as the Chert Upland and Backslope sites shown in the figure (labeled “2”). Loamy Upland Woodland sites (labeled “4”) include different soils formed in both sandstone and limestone. Loess Upland sites (labeled “1”) north of the Missouri River are commonly underlain by a thin layer of till, as shown in the figure.

Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Ridge (2) Hill
Runoff class	Very high
Flooding frequency	None
Elevation	350 – 1200 ft
Slope	3 – 50 %
Aspect	W, E, SE, S, SW

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 is normal, moisture is stored in the soil profile 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 climate within a canopied forest ecological site is measurably different from the climate of the more open grassland or savanna ecological sites.

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)	150-170 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	180-190 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	40-50 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	140-170 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	170-190 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	40-50 in
Frost-free period (average)	160 days
Freeze-free period (average)	190 days
Precipitation total (average)	50 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 8 Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) FULTON [USC00233079], Fulton, MO
(2) ROSEBUD [USC00237300], Gerald, MO
(3) UNION [USC00238515], Union, MO
(4) FESTUS [USC00232850], Crystal City, MO

Influencing 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 events.

Soil features

These soils are underlain with limestone and/or dolomite bedrock at less than 20 inches. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. Parent material is limestone and dolomite residuum. These soils are loamy to clayey and are skeletal, with high amounts of limestone/dolomite gravel, channers and flagstones. They are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Gasconade, Moko, and Ranacker.

The accompanying picture of a roadcut in the Moko series shows the shallow depth to the fractured limestone/dolomite bedrock that characterizes this ecological site. Picture from Baker (1998).

Figure 9. Moko series

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Residuum – dolomite (2) Residuum – limestone
Surface texture	(1) Gravelly clay loam (2) Very gravelly silty clay loam (3) Very cobbly loam
Family particle size	(1) Clayey
Drainage class	Well drained to somewhat excessively drained
Permeability class	Very slow
Depth to restrictive layer	4 – 20 in
Soil depth	4 – 20 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	7 – 55 %
Surface fragment cover >3"	2 – 60 %
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1 – 2 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)	6.1 – 7.8
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	5 – 40 %
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	5 – 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.

Glades are open, rocky areas with very shallow soils dominated by drought-adapted herbaceous flora, generally occurring on south-and west-facing slopes of otherwise wooded sites. 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. The following conditions are general characteristic of most limestone/dolomite glades (Nelson and Ladd 1983; Nelson et al. 2013):
• Calcareous bedrock at or near the surface as a result of major erosional activity and resistance to weathering;
• 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.

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 redcedar. Fire tolerant chinkapin oak and post oak occupied islands and edges where the deeper range of the soil component occurred, 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 cedar seeds by birds. Once established, cedars 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 redcedar 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 and calamint are only found on these 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

Custom diagram

Standard diagram

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

1. Reference

SWAPAEH

2. Woody Invaded Glade/Woodland

SWAPAEH

3. Grazed Glade/Woodland

SWAPAEH

State 1
Reference

Glade/Woodland Complexes harbor a wide diversity of plants and animals. Many, like the dominant grasses little bluestem, Indiangrass, and sideoats grama, are also found on prairies. But others, such as Missouri coneflower, calamint, and federally listed Missouri bladder-pod, 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 chinquapin and post oaks on deeper soils.

Dominant plant species

chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), tree
dwarf hackberry (Celtis tenuifolia), tree
blue ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata), tree
fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), shrub
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass
sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula), grass

Community 1.1
Chinkapin Oak /Dwarf Hackberry – Fragrant Sumac/ Little Bluestem – Sideoats Grama

This phase has widely scattered stunted chinkapin oak and post oak with little bluestem, side oats grama, and dropseeds dominating the open ground layer. Numerous forbs and lichens are also present and locally abundant. Bedrock outcropping is common.

The plant species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).

Forest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).

Forest understory. The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).

Community 1.2
Chinkapin Oak – Blue Ash/ Dwarf Hackberry – Fragrant Sumac / Little Bluestem – Sideoats Grama

This phase is similar to community phase 1.1 but post oak, chinkapin oak and 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 and oaks.

Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This pathway is the result of fire-free interval 10 to 20 years.

Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

This pathway is the result of a fire and other natural disturbances such as fire occurring on a 3 to 10 year cycle being reestablished.

State 2
Woody Invaded Glade/Woodland

This state is dominated by eastern redcedar. These can form relatively even-age stands, dating to when fire suppression became the dominant management characteristic on the site. Canopy closures can approach 100 percent with little or no ground flora.

Dominant plant species

chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), tree
eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree
fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), shrub
little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), grass

Community 2.1
Chinkapin Oak - Eastern Redcedar/ Fragrant Sumac/Little Bluestem

This phase is dominated by eastern redcedar and numerous shrub species. They can form relatively even-age stands, dating to when fire suppression began. This phase can occur relatively quickly (10 to 20 years). Canopy closures can approach 50 to 80 percent with little or no ground flora under the overstory canopy. Without active management, such as prescribed fire and woody removal, these sites will continue increasing in canopy coverage except on the shallowest soil and open bedrock areas where droughty conditions often keep woody invasion in check.

State 3
Grazed Glade/Woodland

Grazing has reduced the cover, diversity and vigor of the native glade/woodland flora. Woody species encroachment, particularly by eastern redcedar, has increased the woodland density relative to the reference state,

Dominant plant species

chinquapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), tree
eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana), tree
fragrant sumac (Rhus aromatica), shrub

Community 3.1
Chinkapin Oak - Eastern Redcedar/ Fragrant Sumac/Broomsedge

Due to long periods of domestic livestock grazing grass the forb diversity and ground cover are severely reduced increasing the potential for soil erosion and increased water runoff. This phase may also have increased densities of eastern redcedar, oak, and shrubs. Other weedy species such as non-native grasses and forbs also increase.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This transition is the result of fire suppression for greater than 20 years.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

This transition is the result of uncontrolled livestock grazing and fire suppression.

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Restoration requires cutting most of the eastern redcedar, accompanied by prescribed fire.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Firebreak
Forest Stand Improvement

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

Restoration requires exclusion of livestock grazing, accompanied by prescribed fire.

Conservation practices

Prescribed Burning
Firebreak
Access Control
Prescribed Grazing

Transition T3A
State 3 to 2

This transition is the result of uncontrolled livestock grazing and fire suppression.

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 overstory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height ft	Canopy cover (%)	Diameter in	Basal area (square ft/acre)
Tree
dwarf hackberry	CETE	Celtis tenuifolia	Native	–	5-10	–	0
post oak	QUST	Quercus stellata	Native	–	5-10	–	0
eastern redcedar	JUVI	Juniperus virginiana	Native	–	5-10	–	0
blue ash	FRQU	Fraxinus quadrangulata	Native	–	0-10	–	0
chinquapin oak	QUMU	Quercus muehlenbergii	Native	–	5-10	–	0

Table 7. Community 1.1 forest understory composition

Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Nativity	Height (ft)	Canopy cover (%)
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
sideoats grama	BOCU	Bouteloua curtipendula	Native	–	10–20
little bluestem	SCSC	Schizachyrium scoparium	Native	–	10–20
Indiangrass	SONU2	Sorghastrum nutans	Native	–	5–20
big bluestem	ANGE	Andropogon gerardii	Native	–	5–20
puffsheath dropseed	SPNE2	Sporobolus neglectus	Native	–	5–20
Mead's sedge	CAME2	Carex meadii	Native	–	10–20
Forb/Herb
butterfly milkweed	ASTU	Asclepias tuberosa	Native	–	5–20
Ontario blazing star	LICY	Liatris cylindracea	Native	–	5–20
fringeleaf wild petunia	RUHU	Ruellia humilis	Native	–	5–20
birdfoot violet	VIPE	Viola pedata	Native	–	5–20
purple prairie clover	DAPU5	Dalea purpurea	Native	–	5–20
Missouri orange coneflower	RUMI	Rudbeckia missouriensis	Native	–	5–20
prairie rosinweed	SITE	Silphium terebinthinaceum	Native	–	5–20
limestone calamint	CLAR5	Clinopodium arkansanum	Native	–	5–20
devil's-tongue	OPHU	Opuntia humifusa	Native	–	5–20
hoary puccoon	LICA12	Lithospermum canescens	Native	–	5–20
common goldstar	HYHI2	Hypoxis hirsuta	Native	–	5–20
wild quinine	PAIN3	Parthenium integrifolium	Native	–	5–20
Shrub/Subshrub
fragrant sumac	RHAR4	Rhus aromatica	Native	–	5–20
Nonvascular
fishscale lichen	PSDE60	Psora decipiens	Native	–	5–20
	THCO12	Thyrea confusa	Native	–	–
sarcogyne lichen	SARE18	Sarcogyne regularis	Native	–	–
Russell's fishscale lichen	PSRU3	Psora russellii	Native	–	–

Table 8. Community 1.2 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 9. Community 2.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

Table 10. Community 3.1 plant community composition

Group	Common name	Symbol	Scientific name	Annual production ()	Foliar cover (%)

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, 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:Field Sparrow, Yellow-breasted Chat, White-eyed Vireo, 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 (NRCS 2002, 2014):

Management: Field measured site index values on the deeper soil depth range of this ecological site average 49 for oak. Productivity is low. Very limited to 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/Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodland Plot CURISP04 - Gasconade soil Located in Cuivre River State Park, Lincoln County, MO Latitude: 39.060405 Longitude: -90.935438 Plot DANVCA02 – Moko soil Located in Danville CA, Montgomery County, MO Latitude: 38.885252 Longitude: -91.542625 Plot DANVCA03 – Moko soil Located in Danville CA, Montgomery County, MO Latitude: 38.885118 Longitude: -91.543205 Plot DANVCA04 - Moko soil Located in Danville CA, Montgomery County, MO Latitude: 38.885364 Longitude: -91.544045 Plot GRCASP02 – Moko soil Located in Graham Cave State Park, Montgomery County, MO Latitude: 38.907295 Longitude: -91.570453 Plot GRCASP03 - Moko soil Located in Graham Cave State Park, Montgomery County, MO Latitude: 38.907018 Longitude: -91.570538 Plot GRCASP05 - Gasconade soil Located in Graham Cave State Park, Montgomery County, MO Latitude: 38.907833 Longitude: -91.571617

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.

Harlan, J.D., T.A. Nigh and W.A. Schroeder. 2001. The Missouri original General Land Office survey notes project. University of Missouri, Columbia.

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.

Held, Robert J. 1978. Soil Survey of Montgomery and Warren Counties, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.

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.

Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2002. Woodland Suitability Groups. Missouri FOTG, Section II, Soil Interpretations and Reports. 30 pgs.

Natural Resources Conservation Service. Site Index Reports. Accessed May 2014. https://esi.sc.egov.usda.gov/ESI_Forestland/pgFSWelcome.aspx

Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Nelson, Paul W and Douglas Ladd. 1980. “Preliminary report on the identification, distribution and classification of Missouri glades”.

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.

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.

Schwartz, C.W., E.R. Schwartz and J.J. Conley. 2001. The wild mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press, Columbia and Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.

United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 682 pgs.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agriculture Handbook 296.

University of Missouri Climate Center - http://climate.missouri.edu/climate.php; accessed June 2012

Contributors

Fred Young
Doug Wallace

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 12/30/2024

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.

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	09/01/2026
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:

Download reference sheet

Natural ResourcesConservation Service

Ecological site R115XB009MO

Shallow Limestone/Dolomite Upland Glade/Woodland

Last updated: 12/30/2024 Accessed: 09/01/2026

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General information

Figure 1. Mapped extent

MLRA notes

LRU notes

Classification relationships

Ecological site concept

Associated sites

Similar sites

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Natural Resources
Conservation Service

Last updated: 12/30/2024
Accessed: 09/01/2026