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Ecological site F116AY013MO
Low-Base Chert Protected Backslope Woodland
Last updated: 9/24/2020
Accessed: 04/19/2026
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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): 116A–Ozark Highland
The Ozark Highland constitutes the Salem Plateau of the Ozark Uplift. Elevation ranges from about 300 feet on the southeast edge of the Ozark escarpment, to about 1,600 feet in the west, adjacent to the Burlington Escarpment of the Springfield Plateau. The underlying bedrock is mainly horizontally bedded Ordovician-aged dolomites and sandstones that dip gently away from the uplift apex in southeast Missouri. Cambrian dolomites are exposed on deeply dissected hillslopes. In some places, Pennsylvanian and Mississipian sediments overlie the plateau. Relief varies, from the gently rolling central plateau areas to deeply dissected hillslopes associated with drainageways such as the Buffalo, Current, Eleven Point and White Rivers.
Classification relationships
Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010): The reference state for this ecological site is most like a Dry-Mesic Chert Woodland.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (MDC, 2006):
The reference state for this Ecological Site is most like a Mixed Oak and Pine Oak Woodlands.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010): The reference state for this ecological site is most like the Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL002150).
Geographic relationship to the Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions classification system (Nigh and Schroeder, 2002): This ecological site is found throughout most subsections of the Ozark Highlands Section (OZ).Ecological site concept
NOTE: This is a “provisional” Ecological Site Description (ESD) that is under development. It contains basic ecological information that can be used for conservation planning, application and land management. After additional information is collected, analyzed and reviewed, this ESD will be refined and published as “Approved”.
The Low-base Chert Protected Backslope Woodlands occupy the northerly and easterly aspects of steep, dissected slopes, and are mapped in complex with the Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodlands ecological site. Low-base Chert Backslopes are widely distributed throughout the Ozark Highland, particularly south and west of the Ozark border counties along the boundary with MLRA 115B. Soils are typically very deep, acidic, and low in bases such as calcium, with an abundance of chert fragments. Soil acidity is an important factor affecting the distribution of both tree and ground flora species and their growth. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by white oak and black oak, with shortleaf pine in the historic pine range and a ground flora of native grasses and forbs.Associated sites
F116AY004MO Fragipan Upland Woodland
Fragipan Upland Woodlands are upslope, on summits.
F116AY012MO Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland
Low-base Chert Upland Woodlands are upslope, on shoulders and upper backslopes.
F116AY037MO Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forest
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forests are often downslope.
F116AY049MO Low-Base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland
Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodlands are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep lower backslopes with southern to western exposures.
Similar sites
F116AY049MO Low-Base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland
Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodlands are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep lower backslopes but with southern to western exposures.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus alba
(2) Quercus velutinaShrub (1) Amelanchier arborea
Herbaceous (1) Desmodium
Physiographic features
This site is on upland backslopes with slopes of 15 to 60 percent. It is on protected aspects (north, northeast, and east), which receive significantly less solar radiation than the exposed aspects. The site receives runoff from upslope summit and shoulder sites, and generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Wolf, 1989) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “3” on the figure, on lower backslopes with northerly to easterly exposures. Low-base Chert Exposed Backslope Woodland sites are on the corresponding southerly to westerly exposures. Upper slopes and shoulders are in the Low-base Chert Upland Woodland ecological site, labeled “2”. Upslope crests that have a layer of loess are often Fragipan Upland Woodland sites, labeled “1”.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Hillslope
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Slope 15 – 60 % Water table depth 24 – 60 in Aspect NW, N, NE, E Climatic features
The Ozark Highland has a continental type of climate marked by strong seasonality. In winter, dry-cold air masses, unchallenged by any topographic barriers, periodically swing south from the northern plains and Canada. If they invade reasonably humid air, snowfall and rainfall result. In summer, moist, warm air masses, equally unchallenged by topographic barriers, swing north from the Gulf of Mexico and can produce abundant amounts of rain, either by fronts or by convectional processes. In some summers, high pressure stagnates over the region, creating extended droughty periods. Spring and fall are transitional seasons when abrupt changes in temperature and precipitation may occur due to successive, fast-moving fronts separating contrasting air masses.
The Ozark Highland experiences regional differences in climates, but these differences do not have obvious geographic boundaries. Regional climates grade inconspicuously into each other. The basic gradient for most climatic characteristics is along a line crossing the MLRA from northwest to southeast.
The average annual precipitation in almost all of this area is 38 to 45 inches. Snow falls nearly every winter, but the snow cover lasts for only a few days. The average annual temperature is about 53 to 60 degrees F. The lower temperatures occur at the higher elevations in the western part of the MLRA. Mean January minimum temperature follows a stronger north-to-south gradient. However, mean July maximum temperature shows hardly any geographic variation in the MLRA. Mean July maximum temperatures have a range of only two or three degrees across the area.
Mean annual precipitation varies along a northwest to southeast gradient. Seasonal climatic variations are more complex. Seasonality in precipitation is very pronounced due to strong continental influences. June precipitation, for example, averages three to four times greater than January precipitation. Most of the rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms in summer.
During years when precipitation comes in a fairly normal manner, moisture is stored in the top layers of the soil during the winter and early spring, when evaporation and transpiration are low. During the summer months the loss of water by evaporation and transpiration is high, and if rainfall fails to occur at frequent intervals, drought will result. Drought directly affects plant and animal life by limiting water supplies, especially at times of high temperatures and high evaporation rates.
Superimposed upon the basic MLRA climatic patterns are local topographic influences that create topoclimatic, or microclimatic variations. In regions of appreciable relief, for example, air drainage at nighttime may produce temperatures several degrees lower in valley bottoms than on side slopes. At critical times during the year, this phenomenon may produce later spring or earlier fall freezes in valley bottoms. Deep sinkholes often have a microclimate significantly cooler, moister, and shadier than surrounding surfaces, a phenomenon that may result in a strikingly different ecology. Higher daytime temperatures of bare rock surfaces and higher reflectivity of these unvegetated surfaces may create distinctive environmental niches such as glades and cliffs.
Slope orientation is an important topographic influence on climate. Summits and south-and-west-facing slopes are regularly warmer and drier than adjacent north- and-east-facing slopes. Finally, the climate within a canopied forest is measurably different from the climate of a more open grassland or savanna areas.
Source: University of Missouri Climate Center - http://climate.missouri.edu/climate.php; Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin, United States Department of Agriculture Handbook 296 - http://soils.usda.gov/survey/geography/mlra/Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 150-170 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 180-200 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 140-190 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 160-220 days Precipitation total (actual range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (average) 160 days Freeze-free period (average) 190 days Precipitation total (average) 50 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) GILBERT [USC00032794], Saint Joe, AR
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(2) TAHLEQUAH [USC00348677], Tahlequah, OK
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(3) POPLAR BLUFF [USC00236791], Poplar Bluff, MO
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(4) WAYNESVILLE 5 W [USC00238777], Waynesville, MO
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(5) FAYETTEVILLE EXP STN [USC00032444], Fayetteville, AR
">Influencing water features
Water features associated with this upland ecological site are influenced by karst landscapes throughout the area (see diagram). Rainfall enters the groundwater system through the soil or by flowing into sinkholes and streams. Springs form where land drops low enough to meet underground water tables. Dissolution of carbonate rocks along fractures and faults has produced cave systems, sinkholes (closed and open), springs, and natural tunnels in the region. These sinkholes and losing streams can rapidly transfer water from upland recharge areas to spring outlets. The most common mechanism for groundwater recharge occurs by the relatively slow downward movement of water through soil and carbonate bedrock over a large area known as diffuse recharge, which maintains a high storage volume providing a consistent supply of water to springs. In addition to diffuse recharge, aquifers in karst terrain receive the relatively rapid transfer of water through sinkholes or losing streams connected by subsurface conduits. Surface water entering the aquifer in this fashion has very little contact with soil or rock and consequently the chemical nature of the water changes little in route. Discharge variability does not seem to be controlled by drainage area, but rather the conduit capacity of losing stream sections that can transport the entire volume of base-flow during dry periods in the year. High variability in base ?ow shows the impact of karst in the form of losing and gaining stream sections (Owen and Pavlowsky 2010).<br />
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The accompanying map depicts the distribution of these karst-related features in the state of Missouri. Relative cave density per USGS 7.5" quadrangle is depicted by shades of red, deeper red signifying a larger number of caves in the quadrangle. Stretches of losing streams are shown in yellow. Known springs are shown as blue dots. Image from Wikimedia Commons developed from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey.
Figure 9. Distribution of karst-related features in Missouri. Image from Wikimedia Commons developed from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geology and Land Survey.
Soil features
These soils have acidic subsoils that are low in bases. Soils having low concentrations of calcium and containing few calcium bearing minerals along with increased levels of aluminum may also be vulnerable to base depletion by timber harvesting, plant uptake, and leaching. As a soil profile approaches or arrives at lower levels of pH, exchangeable aluminum comes into solution and can directly impact plant growth and composition. Some soils have a fragipan rooting barrier at about 24 inches, and some soils have chert bedrock at less than 60 inches. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium over residuum weathered from limestone and dolomite. They have gravelly to very gravelly and cobbly silt loam surface horizons, and skeletal subsoils with high amounts of chert gravel and cobbles. They are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Bendavis, Clarksville, Doniphan, Jollymill, Nixa, Poynor, Scholten, Tick, and Wilderness.
The accompanying picture of a roadcut in the Clarksville series shows a thin, light-colored surface horizon underlain by reddish loam with a high chert fragment content. Although rooting depth is high, as is shown in this picture, plants must be adapted to these low-base soils, which are high in soluble aluminum. Picture courtesy of John Preston, NRCS.
Figure 10. Clarksville soil profile
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – limestone and dolomite
(2) Residuum – limestone and dolomite
Surface texture (1) Gravelly silt loam
(2) Very gravelly
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Moderately well drained to somewhat excessively drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 30 – 72 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 20 – 60 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 6 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)3.5 – 6.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)30 – 70 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)2 – 10 % 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.
Species composition and structure of the reference plant community varied for this ecological site based on its relative location to the Ozark Highlands historic native shortleaf pine range. See the map adapted from Fletcher and McDermott (1957), under Reference community 1.2. Fragmentary evidence from old records indicates that the original timber stands in the Ozark Highlands contained a large volume of shortleaf pine on small, scattered areas, (green area on map) but a relatively small volume of shortleaf pine on extensive areas (cross-hatching on map). Because of this situation, this ecological site is classified into two community phases. When the ecological site occurs outside of the historic native pine range, the community phase expressed is a well-developed Oak Woodland dominated by an overstory of black oak and post oak. Within the historic native pine range, the community phase is characterized as Oak-Pine Woodland, with shortleaf pine as a common overstory species. Extreme soil chert, low soil bases and complicated landscape complexes are unifying soil features of these rather divergent community phases. Woodlands are distinguished from forests by their relatively open understory and the presence of sun-loving ground flora species.
The Oak Woodland phase of Low-Base Chert Protected Backslope Woodland is very similar to Chert Upland Woodlands, except that it may be less dense and productive. The canopy is rather tall (60 to 80 feet) and more dense (65 to 85 percent closure) than corresponding exposed slopes and the understory is better developed with more structural diversity. Decreased light from the denser canopy and northern aspect causes the diversity of ground flora species to diminish. Within the historical native pine range (Cross-hatched area on above map) this ecological site was dominated by drought and fire-tolerant shortleaf pine, with occasional to frequent black oak and post oak. These oak-pine woodlands ranged from open park-like woodlands to more closed woodlands. Canopy closure likely varied from 40 to 80 percent and tree height from 70 to 100 feet. Native prairie grasses dominated the open understory, along with a diverse mix of native legumes, asters, sunflowers and other forbs. Most of this oak-pine community was cleared by extensive logging around 1890 to1920. Consequently, persistent sprouting of oak species, especially black and scarlet oak, replaced the pine.
Fire played an important role in the maintenance of these community phases. Their landscape positions likely supported a fire frequency of every 5 to 10 years on the edge of central plateau to over 10 years on ridges in the river breaks. Fire frequency and intensity was generally lower than adjacent uplands and near-by exposed backslopes. These periodic fires kept woodlands open, removed the litter, and stimulated the growth and flowering of the grasses and forbs. During fire free intervals, woody understory species increased and the herbaceous understory diminished. The return of fire would open the woodlands up again and stimulate the abundant ground flora.
This ecological site was also historically subjected to occasional disturbances from wind and ice, as well as grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer. Wind and ice would have periodically opened the canopy up by knocking over trees or breaking substantial branches off canopy trees. Grazing by large native herbivores would have effectively kept understory conditions more open, creating conditions more favorable to oak reproduction and sun-loving ground flora species.
Today, most of these ecological sites have been largely cleared and converted to pasture, undergone repeated timber harvest and uncontrolled domestic grazing or converted to pine plantations. Most existing woodland ecological sites have a younger (50 to 80 years) canopy layer whose species composition and quality has been altered by timber harvesting practices. In the long term absence of fire, woody species, such as oak and hickory, encroach into these woodlands. Once established, these woody plants can quickly fill the existing understory increasing shade levels with a greatly diminished ground flora. Most occurrences today exhibit canopy closure of 80 to 100 percent. Scarlet oak, black oak, and post oak now share dominance with hickory species and an occasional white oak and shortleaf pine.
These ecological sites are only moderately productive. Maintenance of the Oak and Oak-Pine Woodlands will require disturbances that will encourage more sun adapted species and reduce shading effects. Removal of the younger understory and the application of prescribed fire have proven to be effective restoration methods for restoring the more open structure and increasing the diversity of the ground flora species. Characteristic plants in the ground flora can be used to gauge the restoration potential of a stand along with remnant open-grown old-age trees. Managed areas show exceptional resiliency. In the Oak-Pine Woodland community phase in particular, these practices encourage recruitment of shortleaf pine when mature pines are nearby to provide a seed source. Despite the widespread removal of pine from this system, there are many areas with some pine present on this ecological site. Where present, selective cutting and prescribed fire can help recruit pine, restore the more open structure, and increase the diversity of ground flora species.
A state-and-transition model 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 diagramStandard diagram
Figure 11. State and Transition Model 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, 5, 6 and 8 (additional transitions)
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHStates 2, 5 and 7 (additional transitions)
States 6 and 9 (additional transitions)
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 6 submodel, plant communities
State 7 submodel, plant communities
State 8 submodel, plant communities
State 9 submodel, plant communities
State 1
Reference StateThe reference state for this ecological site was old growth oak or oak-pine woodland. The reference state was dominated by black oak, post oak and scarlet oak or with shortleaf pine as a common overstory component within the Ozark historic pine range. 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 the reference state, with shifts between phases based on geographic location. The reference state for this ecological site can fluctuate between two phases. Within the native shortleaf pine range phase 1.2 was dominant.Community 1.1
White Oak – Black Oak/Common Serviceberry/TicktrefoilThis phase was an oak woodland or oak-pine woodland. This phase was dominated by black oak, post oak and scarlet oak or with shortleaf pine as a common overstory component within the Ozark historic shortleaf pine range.
Forest overstory.Forest Overstory Species list is based on field reconnaissance as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson 2010; names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Forest understory. Forest Understory Species list is based on field reconnaissance as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson 2010; names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Community 1.2
Shortleaf Pine – White Oak/New Jersey Tea – Fragrant Sumac /Huckleberry – Little Bluestem
Figure 12. Range map with cross-hatching showing the historic distribution of shortleaf pine in the Midwest. Green shading show areas where shortleaf pine was a dominate overstory species.
The reference phases for this ecological site can fluctuate between phases 1.1 and 1.2 within the historic natural range of shortleaf pine, although within the native pine range phase 1.2 was dominant.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2This pathway is the result of being within the native shortleaf pine range.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1This pathway results from ecological disturbances such as fire, ice storms, or violent wind storms. Historically, native grazers such as bison provided disturbance events as well.
State 2
Even-Age Managed Oak WoodlandWhere all of the shortleaf pine was removed, this system became dominated by oak. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a sparse 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. Prescribed fire without extensive timber harvest will, over time, cause a transition to Fire Managed Oak Woodland (State 4).
Community 2.1
White Oak – Black Oak /Hickory/GoldenrodState 3
Uneven-Age Managed Oak WoodlandWhere pine was removed from the system, but uneven-age management was applied, this system became dominated by oak, most being only 50 to 90 years old and denser understory. Composition is also likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. Scarlet oak is often more abundant than historically. In addition, 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. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.
Community 3.1
Black Oak-White Oak/HickoryState 4
Fire Managed Oak WoodlandWhere pine is removed from the system, the Fire Managed Oak Woodland state will result from managing woodland communities from States 2 or 3 with prescribed fire. This state can resemble phase 1.1 of the reference state, but with younger maximum tree ages and lower ground flora diversity.
Community 4.1
White Oak-Black Oak/Little BluestemState 5
Fire Managed Oak-Pine WoodlandWhere some shortleaf pine remained after initial harvest, this state may occur. The Fire Managed Oak-Pine Woodland state results from managing State 6 with selective thinning and prescribed fire. A more open structure with abundant ground flora can be restored. But without planting or seeding of pine, they will not return to the reference state. In addition, it will take time to recover older maximum tree ages and ground flora diversity and cover.
Community 5.1
Oak – Shortleaf Pine/Aster – TicktrefoilState 6
Managed Oak-Pine WoodlandWhere some shortleaf pine remained after initial harvest, the Managed Oak-Pine Woodland state may occur. While mature pines let more light to the ground than oak, these even-aged woodlands tend to be rather dense, with a depauperate understory and ground flora due to an increase in oak and hickory densities. 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. A return to the phase 1.2 of the reference state will require prescribed fire along with no harvest or long rotations to restore uneven-age structure and pine densities and increase maximum tree age.
Community 6.1
Oak – Shortleaf Pine /Hickory/Blue Ridge BlueberryState 7
GrasslandConversion of woodlands to non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue has been common. Low available water, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native grasslands difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. Occasionally, these pastures will have scattered patches of tall, mature pine. If grazing and pasture management is discontinued, oak sprouts will occur and the site will eventually transition to State 2. Forest stand improvement and tree planting practices can hasten this process.
Community 7.1
Tall Fescue-BroomsedgeState 8
High-Graded/Grazed WoodlandEcological sites subjected to repeated, high-grading timber harvests and uncontrolled 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 coralberry, 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. This state can be transitioned to a grassland state through clearing and grassland planting or to a pine plantation through clearing, tree planting and fire control.
Community 8.1
Oak – Hickory/Slippery Elm/CoralberryState 9
Pine PlantationMany areas were planted to plantations of shortleaf pine from the 1940’s to the early 1960’s. They are now mature plantations that are usually a mono-culture of a dense pine overstory with a brushy understory of oaks and hickories and a dense carpet of pine needles on the ground. They lack the diversity and structure. Restoration to phase 1.2 of the reference state is a long-term prospect, requiring extensive thinning, long-term prescribed fire, and perhaps planting of native ground flora species.
Community 9.1
Shortleaf PineTransition T1A
State 1 to 2This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 5This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Transition T1D
State 1 to 6This transition is the result of poorly planned timber harvest techniques such as high-grading, accompanied by unmanaged cattle grazing. Soil erosion and compaction often result from cattle grazing after the understory has been damaged.
Transition T1F
State 1 to 8Transition activities include poorly planned harvest (high grading); uncontrolled grazing; fire suppression
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Restoration activities to community phase 1.1A include thinning; prescribed fire; managed harvests
Transition T3B
State 3 to 4This transition is the result of the systematic application of prescribed fire. Mechanical thinning may also be used.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1Restoration activities to community phase 1.1A include forest stand improvement; extended rotations; prescribed fire
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T4B
State 4 to 3This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1Restoration activities to community phase 1.2A include fire suppression; managed harvests; retention of shortleaf pine
Transition T5A
State 5 to 2This transition results from the cessation of cattle grazing and associated pasture management such as mowing and brush-hogging. Herbicide application, tree planting and timber stand improvement techniques can speed up this otherwise very lengthy transition.
Transition T5A
State 5 to 6Transition activities include fire suppression; managed harvests
Restoration pathway R6A
State 6 to 1Restoration activities to community phase 1.2A include prescribed fire; uneven-age management; extended rotations; pine retention
Transition T6B
State 6 to 3This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest. Tree planting, mechanical thinning and other timber stand improvement techniques may be helpful to decrease the transition time.
Transition T6A
State 6 to 5This transition is the result of clearing the woodland communities and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Transition T6B
State 6 to 9Transition activities include clearing and conversion to shortleaf pine plantation
Transition T7A
State 7 to 2Transition activities include tree planting; long-term succession (+50-60 years)
Transition T8A
State 8 to 7Transition activities include clearing ; pasture planting; prescribed grazing
Transition T8C
State 8 to 9Transition activities include clearing and conversion to shortleaf pine plantation
Transition T9A
State 9 to 6Transition activities include thinning; oak sprouting; 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) Treewhite oak QUAL Quercus alba Native – – – 0 post oak QUST Quercus stellata Native – – – 0 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – – – 0 shortleaf pine PIEC2 Pinus echinata Native – – – 0 scarlet oak QUCO2 Quercus coccinea Native – – – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – – – 0 bitternut hickory CACO15 Carya cordiformis Native – – – 0 Table 7. 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 – – hairy woodland brome BRPU6 Bromus pubescens Native – – oval-leaf sedge CACE Carex cephalophora Native – – Muhlenberg's sedge CAMU4 Carex muehlenbergii Native – – Bosc's panicgrass DIBO2 Dichanthelium boscii Native – – Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – – fuzzy wuzzy sedge CAHI6 Carex hirsutella Native – – eastern star sedge CARA8 Carex radiata Native – – Forb/Herbtrailing lespedeza LEPR Lespedeza procumbens Native – – panicledleaf ticktrefoil DEPA6 Desmodium paniculatum Native – – elmleaf goldenrod SOUL2 Solidago ulmifolia Native – – stiff tickseed COPA10 Coreopsis palmata Native – – largeflower yellow false foxglove AUGR Aureolaria grandiflora Native – – American hogpeanut AMBR2 Amphicarpaea bracteata Native – – American ipecac GIST5 Gillenia stipulata Native – – hairy sunflower HEHI2 Helianthus hirsutus Native – – feathery false lily of the valley MARA7 Maianthemum racemosum Native – – eastern beebalm MOBR2 Monarda bradburiana Native – – bristly buttercup RAHI Ranunculus hispidus Native – – fire pink SIVI4 Silene virginica Native – – fourleaf milkweed ASQU Asclepias quadrifolia Native – – pointedleaf ticktrefoil DEGL5 Desmodium glutinosum Native – – smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil DEMA2 Desmodium marilandicum Native – – nakedflower ticktrefoil DENU4 Desmodium nudiflorum Native – – Arkansas bedstraw GAAR4 Galium arkansanum Native – – spotted geranium GEMA Geranium maculatum Native – – elmleaf goldenrod SOUL2 Solidago ulmifolia Native – – manyray aster SYAN2 Symphyotrichum anomalum Native – – rue anemone THTH2 Thalictrum thalictroides Native – – Fern/fern allynorthern maidenhair ADPE Adiantum pedatum Native – – Christmas fern POAC4 Polystichum acrostichoides Native – – Shrub/Subshrubfragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – – Blue Ridge blueberry VAPA4 Vaccinium pallidum Native – – deerberry VAST Vaccinium stamineum Native – – American hazelnut COAM3 Corylus americana Native – – New Jersey tea CEAM Ceanothus americanus Native – – leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens Native – – Treeflowering dogwood COFL2 Cornus florida Native – – common serviceberry AMAR3 Amelanchier arborea 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 (%) Table 11. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 6.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 7.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 8.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 16. Community 9.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (MDC 2006):
Wild turkey, white-tailed deer, and eastern gray squirrel depend on hard and soft mast food sources and are typical upland game species of this type.
Oaks provide abundant hard mast; scattered shrubs provide soft mast; native legumes provide high-quality wildlife food.
Sedges and native cool-season grasses provide green browse.
Post-burn areas can provide temporary bare-ground – herbaceous cover habitat important for turkey poults and quail chicks.
Bird species associated with early-successional oak woodlands are Northern Bobwhite, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, and Brown Thrasher.
Bird species associated with mid- to late successional oak woodlands are Indigo Bunting, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Bobwhite, Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s widow, Red-eyed Vireo, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, and Broad-winged Hawk.
Reptile and amphibian species associated with woodlands include ornate box turtle, northern fence lizard, five-lined skink, broad-headed skink, six-lined racerunner, flat-headed snake, rough earth snake, and timber rattlesnake.
Bird species associated with Oak-Pine Woodlands are Carolina Chickadee, Great Crested Flycatcher, Pine Warbler, White-breasted Nuthatch, Cooper’s Hawk, Yellow-throated Warbler, Summer Tanager, Black-and-white Warbler, and Northern Bobwhite.
Reptile and amphibian species associated with Oak-Pine Woodlands include ornate box turtle, northern fence lizard, five-lined skink, broad-headed skink, six-lined racerunner, rough earth snake, and timber rattlesnake.Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):
Management: Field measured site index values average 60 for white oak, 63 for black oak and 64 for shortleaf pine. Timber management opportunities are generally good. These groups respond well to management. Create group openings of at least 2 acres. Large clearcuts should be minimized if possible to reduce impacts on wildlife and aesthetics. Uneven-aged management using single tree selection or group selection cuttings of ½ to 1 acre are other options that can be used if clear cutting is not desired or warranted. Using prescribed fire as a management tool could have a negative impact on timber quality, may not be fitting, or should be used with caution on a particular site if timber management is the primary objective.
Limitations: Large amounts of coarse fragments throughout profile; bedrock may be within 60 inches. Surface stones and rocks are problems for efficient and safe equipment operation and will make equipment use somewhat difficult. Disturbing the surface excessively in harvesting operations and building roads increases soil losses, which leaves a greater amount of coarse fragments on the surface. Hand planting or direct seeding may be necessary. Seedling mortality due to low available water capacity may be high. Mulching or providing shade can improve seedling survival. Mechanical tree planting will be limited. 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: Low-Base Chert Protected Backslope Woodland Plot ALSPNP02 - Bendavis soil Located in Alley Spring National Park Service, Shannon County, MO Latitude: 37.161118 Longitude: -91.44978 Plot BISPNP02 - Poyner soil Located Big Spring National Park Service, Carter County, MO Latitude: 36.941947 Longitude: -91.001787 Plot PODIFS02 - Clarksville soil Located Potosi District MTNF, Crawford County, MO Latitude: 37.995986 Longitude: -91.25698
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.
Fletcher, P.W. and R.E. McDermott. 1957. Influence of Geologic Parent Material and Climate on Distribution of Shortleaf Pine in Missouri. University of Missouri, Research Bulletin 625. 43p.
Harlan, J.D., T.A. Nigh and W.A. Schroeder. 2001. The Missouri original General Land Office survey notes project. University of Missouri, Columbia.
Ladd, D. 1991. Reexamination of the role of fire in Missouri oak woodlands. Pp. 67-80 in G.V. Brown, James K.; Smith, Jane Kapler, eds. 2000. Wildland fire in ecosystems: effects of fire on flora. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-42-vol. 2. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 257 p.
Little, E.L., Jr. 1971. Atlas of United States Trees, Volume 1, Conifers and Important Hardwoods: U.S. Department of Agriculture Miscellaneous Publication 1146, 9 p., 200 maps
Missouri Department of Conservation, 2006. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
NatureServe. 2010. International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications. Rapid Assessment Reference Condition Model, R5BSOW Interior Highlands Dry Oak/Bluestem Woodland/Glade. NatrueServe Central Databases. Arlington, VA U.S.
Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri. 550p.
Nigh, Timothy A., and Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri. 212p.
Owen, Marc R. and Robert T. Pavlowsky. 2010. Baseflow hydrology and water quality of an Ozarks spring and associated recharge area, southern Missouri, USA. Environ Earth Sci (2011) 64:169–183.
Schoolcraft, H.R. 1821. Journal of a tour into the interior of Missouri and Arkansas from Potosi, or Mine a Burton, in Missouri territory, in a southwest direction, toward the Rocky Mountains: performed in the years 1818 and 1819. Richard Phillips and Company, London.
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.
Wolf, David W. 1989. Soil Survey of Pulaski County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.Contributors
Fred Young
Doug WallaceApproval
Nels Barrett, 9/24/2020
Acknowledgments
Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources personnel provided significant and helpful field and technical support during this project.
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 04/19/2026 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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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.
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