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Ecological site F116AY034MO
Loamy Terrace Forest
Last updated: 9/24/2020
Accessed: 07/05/2026
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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 similar to a Mesic Bottomland Forest.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (MDC, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Mixed Hardwood Mesic Bottomland Forest.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Acer saccharum - Quercus rubra - Carya cordiformis / Asimina triloba Forest (CEGL002060).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site is widespread across the Ozark Highlands Section.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”.
Loamy Terrace Forests are widely distributed throughout the Ozark Highland. Soils are very deep and loamy, and are subject to flooding. The reference plant community is forest with an overstory dominated by a variety of trees including sugar maple, northern red oak, bitternut hickory, bur oak, American elm, black walnut and Kentucky coffeetree, an understory dominated by pawpaw, northern spicebush, Ohio buckeye and eastern leatherwood and a rich herbaceous ground flora.Associated sites
F116AY011MO Chert Upland Woodland
Chert Upland Woodlands, and other upland and backslope ecological sites, are upslope.
F116AY031MO Dry Footslope Forest
Dry Footslope Forests are upslope.
F116AY032MO Loamy Footslope Forest
Loamy Footslope Forests are upslope.
F116AY039MO Loamy Floodplain Step Forest
Loamy Floodplain Step Forests are adjacent and downslope.
F116AY042MO Sandy/Gravelly Floodplain Forest
Sandy/Gravelly Floodplain Forests and other floodplain ecological sites are downslope.
Similar sites
F116AY032MO Loamy Footslope Forest
Loamy Footslope Forests are upslope.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Acer saccharum
(2) Quercus rubraShrub (1) Asimina triloba
Herbaceous (1) Asarum canadense
Physiographic features
This site is on low stream terraces and high floodplains (floodplain steps), with slopes of 0 to 8 percent. The site generates some runoff to adjacent lower floodplain sites, and receives some runoff from higher stream terraces and uplands. This site is subject to rare to occasional flooding. Scour is uncommon in these flood events, and deposition is minimal, so ecological processes more closely resemble those of stream terrace systems.
The following figure (adapted from Simmons et al, 2006) 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. Loamy Terrace Forest sites are typically above Floodplain Step Forest sites, labeled “4”, or may be directly above Floodplain Forest sites that are adjacent to the stream, labeled “5”.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Stream terrace
(2) Flood-plain step
Flooding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) Flooding frequency Rare to occasional Ponding frequency None Slope 0 – 8 % Water table depth 17 – 60 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor 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) 160-180 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 190-200 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 40-50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 160-180 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 180-200 days Precipitation total (actual range) 40-50 in Frost-free period (average) 170 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) ELDON [USC00232503], Eldon, MO
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(2) FESTUS [USC00232850], Crystal City, MO
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(3) TAHLEQUAH [USC00348677], Tahlequah, OK
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(4) DONIPHAN [USC00232289], Doniphan, MO
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(5) EUREKA SPRINGS 3 WNW [USC00032356], Eureka Springs, AR
">Influencing water features
This ecological site is typically associated with, but not adjacent to, a perennial stream. Stream levels typically respond quickly to storm events, especially in watersheds where surface runoff is dominant. This site is subject to rare to occasional flooding, particularly during spring and early summer storm events. However, scour and deposition are uncommon. The site generates some runoff to adjacent lower floodplain sites, and receives some runoff from higher stream terraces and uplands.
Soil features
These soils have no rooting restriction. They were formed under forest vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is alluvium. They have silt loam, sandy loam or loam surface horizons, and loamy subsoils with argillic horizons that may be skeletal with depth. They are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Bearthicket, Britwater, Hootentown, Horsecreek, Jemerson, Raftville, Razort, Secesh, and Zanoni.
The accompanying picture of the Britwater series shows a thin, light-colored gravelly silt loam surface horizon over a reddish gravelly silty clay loam subsoil. Coarse fragment content increases with depth in this soil. Picture courtesy of John Preston, NRCS.
Figure 9. Britwater series
Table 4. Representative soil features
Surface texture (1) Gravelly silt loam
(2) Sandy loam
(3) Loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Soil depth 72 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 30 % Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4 – 8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)Not specified Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)4.5 – 7.3 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 45 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 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.
Loamy Terrace Forests are on relatively stable former floodplain positions. These rarely flooded terraces are often associated with more poorly drained Wet Terrace Forests, and occur above high floodplain forests or riverfront forests that are the on lower, more frequently flooded areas. The reference plant community is dominated by a wide variety of deciduous hardwood tree species including sugar maple, northern red oak, bitternut hickory, bur oak, American elm, black walnut and Kentucky coffeetree. Trees are generally large and tall forming a dense, closed canopy.
Both historically and today, these forests are structurally and compositionally diverse, with occasional tree-fall gaps and natural mortality providing opportunities for regeneration of overstory species. The understory is also complex, with multiple layers of shade tolerant species such as pawpaw, northern spicebush, Ohio buckeye and eastern leatherwood. Grape vine, greenbrier, and Virginia creeper are also present along with a diverse array of ground flora species that carpets the forest floor.
Loamy Terrace Forests were also subjected to occasional disturbances from flooding, wind and ice. Wind, flooding, and ice would have periodically opened the canopy up by knocking over trees or breaking substantial branches off canopy trees.
Today, the rich, Loamy Terrace Forests are largely converted to pasture and cropland. Where they do still occur, they often occur as a rather narrow band of forest traversing the riverfront forest. These bands of forest play an important role as a source of food and shelter for migrating birds.
Uncontrolled grazing by domestic livestock in these remaining areas of forest damages and kills smaller trees and removes the ground cover. Carefully planned timber harvests can be tolerated on these sites, but high grading of the timber will ultimately degrade the sites.
Re-establishment of these productive forests is important for stream quality and stream health, and as critical habitat for migratory birds. Woody planting on the appropriate landscape position and soils has proven to be an effective means for restoration.
These ecological sites are productive. Oak regeneration is typically problematic. Maintenance of the oak component will require disturbances that will encourage more sun adapted species and reduce shading effects. Single tree selection timber harvests are common in this region and often results in removal of the most productive trees (high grading) in the stand leading to poorer quality timber and a shift in species composition away from more valuable oak species. Better planned single tree selection or the creation of group openings can help regenerate and maintain more desirable oak species and increase vigor on the residual trees.
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 diagramStandard 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 textEcosystem states
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThe reference state was dominated by northern red oak and sugar maple including a wide variety of other deciduous hardwood tree species. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind or occurred along with infrequent flooding. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as bitternut hickory and sugar maple. Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
The reference state is rare today. Some sites have been converted to grassland (State 4). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with uncontrolled domestic livestock grazing (State 5). Many reference sites have been managed for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) forests.Community 1.1
Sugar Maple – Northern Red Oak/Pawpaw/Canadian Wildginger
Figure 11. Reference state along Current River, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri; photo credit MDC.
Two community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
Forest overstory.The 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. The 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
Sugar Maple – Northern Red Oak/Bitternut Hickory - Pawpaw/ Canadian WildgingerTwo community phases are recognized in this state, with shifts between phases based on disturbance frequency.
State 2
Even-Age Managed ForestThese former forests are now rather dense, with an under developed understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) forests.
Community 2.1
Bur Oak – Northern Red Oak/ Eastern Leatherwood/ WildryeState 3
Uneven-Age Managed ForestUneven-Age Managed forests can resemble the reference state but are denser. The biggest differences are tree age, most being only 50 to 90 years old, and canopy closure. Composition is also likely altered from the reference state depending on tree selection during harvest. In addition, without a regular 15 to 20 year harvest re-entry into these stands, they will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species such as bitternut hickory and sugar maple and northern red oak will become less dominant.
Community 3.1
Sugar Maple – Northern Red Oak – Hickory/Northern Spicebush/ Sweet WoodreedState 4
GrasslandConversion of forests to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in this MLRA. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition, over time, to State 2 (Even-Age).
Community 4.1
Tall Fescue - Red CloverState 5
High-Graded/Grazed WoodlandForested sites subjected to repeated, high-graded 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. Exclusion of livestock from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age).
Community 5.1
Hackberry – Hickory/ Ohio Buckeye/Multiflora RoseAdditional 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) Treesugar maple ACSA3 Acer saccharum Native – – – 0 bitternut hickory CACO15 Carya cordiformis Native – – – 0 bur oak QUMA2 Quercus macrocarpa Native – – – 0 Shumard's oak QUSH Quercus shumardii Native – – – 0 white oak QUAL Quercus alba Native – – – 0 slippery elm ULRU Ulmus rubra Native – – – 0 green ash FRPE Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native – – – 0 blackgum NYSY Nyssa sylvatica Native – – – 0 American basswood TIAM Tilia americana Native – – – 0 northern red oak QURU Quercus rubra Native – – – 0 Kentucky coffeetree GYDI Gymnocladus dioicus Native – – – 0 American elm ULAM Ulmus americana Native – – – 0 American sycamore PLOC Platanus occidentalis Native – – – 0 Tree Fernblack walnut JUNI Juglans nigra Native – – – 0 Table 7. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)eastern woodland sedge CABL Carex blanda Native – – eastern star sedge CARA8 Carex radiata Native – – sweet woodreed CIAR2 Cinna arundinacea Native – – Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – – eastern bottlebrush grass ELHY Elymus hystrix Native – – Bosc's panicgrass DIBO2 Dichanthelium boscii Native – – whitegrass LEVI2 Leersia virginica Native – – rock muhly MUSO Muhlenbergia sobolifera Native – – white bear sedge CAAL11 Carex albursina Native – – Forb/Herbcutleaf coneflower RULA3 Rudbeckia laciniata Native – – feathery false lily of the valley MARA7 Maianthemum racemosum Native – – Carolina elephantsfoot ELCA3 Elephantopus carolinianus Native – – yellow passionflower PALU2 Passiflora lutea Native – – Indian-tobacco LOIN Lobelia inflata Native – – nakedflower ticktrefoil DENU4 Desmodium nudiflorum Native – – pointedleaf ticktrefoil DEGL5 Desmodium glutinosum Native – – fragrant bedstraw GATR3 Galium triflorum Native – – fewflower ticktrefoil DEPA7 Desmodium pauciflorum Native – – bottomland aster SYON2 Symphyotrichum ontarionis Native – – Canadian wildginger ASCA Asarum canadense Native – – feathery false lily of the valley MARA7 Maianthemum racemosum Native – – green dragon ARDR3 Arisaema dracontium Native – – spring blue eyed Mary COVE2 Collinsia verna Native – – white fawnlily ERAL9 Erythronium albidum Native – – zigzag iris IRBR2 Iris brevicaulis Native – – Virginia bluebells MEVI3 Mertensia virginica Native – – Missouri violet VIMI3 Viola missouriensis Native – – pale touch-me-not IMPA Impatiens pallida Native – – Canadian clearweed PIPU2 Pilea pumila Native – – Fern/fern allyrattlesnake fern BOVI Botrychium virginianum Native – – Christmas fern POAC4 Polystichum acrostichoides Native – – Christmas fern POAC4 Polystichum acrostichoides Native – – Shrub/Subshrubeastern leatherwood DIPA9 Dirca palustris Native – – burningbush EUAT5 Euonymus atropurpureus Native – – northern spicebush LIBE3 Lindera benzoin Native – – TreeOhio buckeye AEGL Aesculus glabra Native – – pawpaw ASTR Asimina triloba Native – – American hornbeam CACA18 Carpinus caroliniana 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 (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (MDC 2006)
Moist conditions with abundant coarse woody debris make this type of ecological site important for many herptiles.
These forests can provide good “old-growth” conditions with large diameter trees and snags and downed, dead wood.
Bird species associated with late-successional forests include Great Blue Heron (colonies especially in large sycamores and cottonwoods), Bald Eagle, Belted Kingfisher, Red-shouldered Hawk, Northern Parula, Louisiana Waterthrush, Wood Duck, Hooded Merganser, Kentucky Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Acadian Flycatcher, Barred Owl, Pileated Woodpecker, Cerulean Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, and Swainson’s Warbler (sites with giant cane or sapling/brambles dominated understory).
Reptiles and amphibians associated with these forests include marbled salamander, small-mouthed salamander, central newt, midland brown snake, and gray treefrog.Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):
Management: Estimated site index values range from 60 to 70. Timber management opportunities are good. 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 small group selection cuttings of ½ to 1 acre are other options that can be used if clear cutting is not desired or warranted. Maintain adequate riparian buffer areas.
Limitations: No major limitations or restrictions. Occasional periods of seasonal wetness; Use of equipment may be restricted in spring and other excessively wet periods. Equipment use when wet may compact soil and damage tree roots. Tree planting may be difficult during spring flooding periods.Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Loamy Terrace Forest Plot CURINP07 - Britwater soil Located along the Current River, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, National Park Service, Carter County, MO Latitude: 37.084952 Longitude: -91.059151 Plot MERASP07 – Britwater soil Located in Meramec State Park, Franklin County, MO Latitude: 38.232768 Longitude: -91.093462
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.
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.
Missouri Department of Conservation. 2010. Missouri Forest and Woodland Community Profiles. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
NatureServe, 2010. Vegetation Associations of Missouri (revised). NatureServe, St. Paul, Minnesota.
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.
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.
Simmons, Melvin, J. Daniel Childress, Kevin Godsey, and Rod Taylor. 2006. Soil Survey of Reynolds County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
United States Department of Agriculture – Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS). 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296. 682 pgs.Contributors
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 07/05/2026 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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