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Ecological site F116AY046MO
Loamy Exposed 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 similar to a Dry-Mesic Loess/Glacial Till Woodland.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (MDC, 2006):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Mixed Oak Woodland.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL002150).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily in the Inner Ozark Border Subsection.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 Loamy Exposed Backslope Woodlands occupy the southerly and westerly aspects of steep, dissected slopes, and are mapped in complex with the Loamy Protected Backslope Forest ecological site. Loamy Backslope ecological sites occur primarily in the Ozark border counties near the boundary with MLRA 115B, where loess from the Missouri and Mississippi river valleys has been deposited and the southern areas of the MLRA. Soils are very deep, and are silt loam loess overlying gravelly residuum. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by black oak, white oak, and hickory and a ground flora of native grasses and forbs.Associated sites
F116AY037MO Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forest
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Forests are often downslope.
F116AY004MO Fragipan Upland Woodland
Fragipan Upland Woodlands are upslope on summits where a fragipan is present in the subsoil.
F116AY008MO Loamy Upland Woodland
Loamy Upland Woodlands are upslope on summits and shoulders.
F116AY016MO Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forest
Chert Dolomite Protected Backslope Forests are upslope or adjacent, where loess is thinner and dolomite bedrock is within 40 inches.
F116AY030MO Loamy Protected Backslope Forest
Loamy Protected Backslope Forests are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep lower backslopes with northern to eastern exposures.
Similar sites
F116AY030MO Loamy Protected Backslope Forest
Loamy Protected Backslope Forests are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep lower backslopes with northern to eastern exposures.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus alba
(2) Quercus velutinaShrub (1) Rhus aromatica
Herbaceous (1) Elymus virginicus
(2) Solidago ulmifoliaPhysiographic features
This site is on upland backslopes, with slopes of 15 to 35 percent. It is on exposed aspects (south, southwest, and west), which receive significantly more solar radiation than the protected aspects. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The adjacent figure (adapted from Davis, 2002) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “3”, on backslopes with southerly to westerly exposures. Loamy Protected Backslope Forest sites are on the corresponding northerly to easterly exposures. Footslopes and shoulders within the area are in the Loamy Upland Woodland ecological site. A variety of ecological sites occur in areas where the loess is thinner, such as the Chert Dolomite Backslope sites shown here. Upslope crests are commonly Fragipan Upland Woodland sites.
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 – 35 % Water table depth 20 – 60 in Aspect W, SE, S, SW 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) 150-150 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 170-190 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 150-150 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 170-190 days Precipitation total (actual range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (average) 150 days Freeze-free period (average) 180 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) MARBLE HILL [USC00235253], Marble Hill, MO
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(2) CALICO ROCK 2 WSW [USC00031132], Calico Rock, AR
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(3) FREEDOM [USC00233043], Linn, MO
">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 />
<br />
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 no major rooting restriction. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is loess over slope alluvium over residuum weathered from limestone and dolomite. The soils have silt loam surface horizons. Subsoils are silty clay loam in the upper part, and are very gravelly and cobbly silty clay loam, clay loam to clay in the underlying slope alluvium and residuum. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Some soils have bedrock between 40 and 60 inches, but this does not significantly affect native vegetation. Soil series associated with this site include Bucklick, Gravois, Peridge, Useful, and Wrengart.
The accompanying picture of the Peridge series shows a thin, light-colored silt loam surface horizon over a reddish brown silty clay loam subsoil. Red very gravelly clay is typically below one meter in these soils, and appears at the very bottom of this picture. Scale is in centimeters. Picture courtesy of John Preston, NRCS.
Figure 10. Peridge series
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – limestone and dolomite
(2) Residuum – limestone and dolomite
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Very slow to moderately slow Soil depth 40 – 72 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)6 – 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)20 – 35 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 40 % 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.
The reference plant community is well developed woodland dominated by an overstory of black oak, white oak, and hickory species. The canopy is moderately tall (70 to 85 feet) but less dense (65 to 85 percent closure) than protected slopes and the understory is poorly developed with less structural diversity. It is on exposed aspects (south, southwest, and west), which receive significantly more solar radiation than the protected aspects. Increased light causes a diversity of ground flora species to flourish. In addition, proximity to shallow soil glades and open woodlands provides additional opportunity for increased light and species diversity. Woodlands are distinguished from forest, by their relatively open understory, and the presence of sun-loving 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, and tree height growth.
Fire played an important role in the maintenance of these systems. It is likely that these ecological sites burned at least once every 5 to 10 years. 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.
Loamy Exposed Backslope Woodlands were also 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 native large herbivores would have effectively kept understory conditions more open, creating conditions more favorable to oak reproduction.
Today, these ecological sites have been cleared and converted to pasture or have undergone repeated timber harvest and domestic grazing. Most existing forested 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, especially hickory, hornbeam and gooseberry encroach into these woodlands. Once established, these woody plants can quickly fill the existing understory increasing shade levels with a greatly diminished ground flora. Removal of the younger understory and the application of prescribed fire have proven to be effective restoration means.
Uncontrolled domestic grazing has also impacted these communities, further diminishing the diversity of native plants and introducing species that are tolerant of grazing, such as coralberry, gooseberry, and Virginia creeper. Grazed sites also have a more open understory. In addition, soil compaction and soil erosion can be a problem and lower productivity.
These ecological sites are moderately productive. Oak regeneration is typically problematic. Slippery elm, hophornbeam, hickory are often dominant competitors in the understory. Maintenance of the oak component will require disturbances such as prescribed fire and thinning 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.
Clearcutting also occurs and results in dense, even-aged stands dominated by oak. This may be most beneficial for existing stands whose composition has been highly altered by past management practices. However, without some thinning of the dense stands, and periodic fires, the ground flora diversity can be shaded out and diversity of the stand may suffer.
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 11. State and transition diagram for this ecological site
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
States 1 and 5 (additional transitions)
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 5 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThe historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth, oak woodland. The reference state was dominated by white oak and black oak. 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 disturbance frequency. Reference states are rare today. Many 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). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Some former reference states have been managed as woodlands with fire (State 2) or without fire (State 3).
Community 1.1
White Oak – Black Oak/Fragrant Sumac/Virginia Wildrye – Elmleaf GoldenrodPeriodic disturbances from fire, wind or ice maintained the woodland structure and diverse ground flora species.
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
White Oak – Black Oak/Hickory – Fragrant Sumac/Virginia Wildrye – Elmleaf Goldenrod
Figure 12. Fire limited phase in the Current River Conservation Area, near Ellington, Missouri; photo credit MDC.
Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in both the density of trees and the abundance of shade tolerant species.
Forest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed
Forest understory. in Nelson (2010).<br /> The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2No disturbance (10+ years)
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Disturbance (fire, wind, ice) < 10 years
State 2
Fire Excluded Managed WoodlandThese stands will slowly increase in more shade tolerant species and white oak will become less dominant. 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. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like sassafras and hickory, increase in abundance. Prescribed fire along with a more open canopy can transition this state to a Fire Managed Woodland state (State 3).
Community 2.1
Black Oak – White Oak – Hickory/Hazelnut/ Virginia WildryeForest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed
Forest understory. in Nelson (2010).<br /> The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).<br />
State 3
Fire Managed WoodlandThe Fire Managed Woodland state results from managing woodland communities (States 2) with prescribed fire and canopy thinning,. This state can resemble the reference state, but with younger maximum tree ages, more open canopies and lower ground flora diversity. Cessation of prescribed fire will allow transition to various managed woodland states.
Community 3.1
Oak /Fragrant Sumac/ Hairy Woodland BromeForest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed
Forest understory. in Nelson (2010).<br /> The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).<br />
State 4
GrasslandConversion of woodlands to planted, non-native cool season grassland species such as tall fescue is common for this region. Steep slopes, surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make grasslands harder to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site.
Two community phases are recognized in the grassland state, with shifts between phases based on types of management. Poor management will result in a shift to Community 4.2 that shows an increase in oak sprouting and increases in broomsedge densities.
Community 4.1
Tall Fescue - Red CloverTwo community phases are recognized in the grassland state, with shifts between phases based on types of management.
Forest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed
Forest understory. in Nelson (2010).<br /> The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).
Community 4.2
Tall fescue - Broomsedge/Oak SproutsPoor management will result in a shift to Community 4.2 that shows an increase in oak sprouting and increases in broomsedge densities.
Forest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed
Forest understory. in Nelson (2010).<br /> The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).
Pathway P4.1A
Community 4.1 to 4.2Over grazing; no fertilization
Pathway P4.2A
Community 4.2 to 4.1Brush management; grassland seeding; grassland management
State 5
High-Graded/Grazed WoodlandStates that were subjected to repeated, high-grading timber harvests and uncontrolled domestic grazing transitioned to a High-Graded, Grazed Woodland 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 existing vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive cattle stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff.
Two common transitions from this state are woody clearing and conversion to State 4, grassland or removing livestock, limited harvesting, and allowing long term succession to occur to some other woodland state.Community 5.1
Black Oak – Hickory / Common Serviceberry – Coralberry / SedgeForest overstory.The Overstory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed
Forest understory. in Nelson (2010).<br /> The Understory Species list is based on field surveys and commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010).<br />
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Harvesting; even-aged management; fire exclusion
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Uneven-age management; prescribed fire
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Clearing; pasture planting; grassland management
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5Poorly planned harvests; uncontrolled grazing
Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1Uneven-age management; extended rotations; prescribed fire
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Prescribed fire; forest stand improvement
Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1Prescribed fire; extended rotations
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2Even-age management; fire exclusion
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2Tree planting; long-term succession; no grazing
Transition T5B
State 5 to 3Forest management; no grazing; prescribed fire
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4Clearing; pasture planting; grassland management
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 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – – – 0 pignut hickory CAGL8 Carya glabra Native – – – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – – – 0 post oak QUST Quercus stellata Native – – – 0 sassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum Native – – – 0 shagbark hickory CAOV2 Carya ovata Native – – – 0 mockernut hickory CATO6 Carya tomentosa Native – – – 0 Table 7. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)Bosc's panicgrass DIBO2 Dichanthelium boscii Native – – hairy woodland brome BRPU6 Bromus pubescens Native – – oval-leaf sedge CACE Carex cephalophora Native – – Muhlenberg's sedge CAMU4 Carex muehlenbergii Native – – eastern star sedge CARA8 Carex radiata Native – – reflexed sedge CARE9 Carex retroflexa Native – – Indian woodoats CHLA5 Chasmanthium latifolium Native – – little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium Native – – Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – – eastern bottlebrush grass ELHY Elymus hystrix Native – – rock muhly MUSO Muhlenbergia sobolifera Native – – Forb/Herbnakedflower ticktrefoil DENU4 Desmodium nudiflorum Native – – pointedleaf ticktrefoil DEGL5 Desmodium glutinosum Native – – hairy sunflower HEHI2 Helianthus hirsutus Native – – violet lespedeza LEVI6 Lespedeza violacea Native – – Canadian blacksnakeroot SACA15 Sanicula canadensis Native – – yellow passionflower PALU2 Passiflora lutea Native – – Dillenius' ticktrefoil DEGL4 Desmodium glabellum Native – – eastern purple coneflower ECPU Echinacea purpurea Native – – shining bedstraw GACO3 Galium concinnum Native – – spotted geranium GEMA Geranium maculatum Native – – eastern greenviolet HYCO6 Hybanthus concolor Native – – bluejacket TROH Tradescantia ohiensis Native – – feathery false lily of the valley MARA7 Maianthemum racemosum Native – – widowsfrill SIST Silene stellata Native – – elmleaf goldenrod SOUL2 Solidago ulmifolia Native – – white arrowleaf aster SYUR Symphyotrichum urophyllum Native – – Shrub/Subshrubfragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – – Carolina buckthorn FRCA13 Frangula caroliniana Native – – American hazelnut COAM3 Corylus americana Native – – winged elm ULAL Ulmus alata – – – Treeflowering dogwood COFL2 Cornus florida Native – – eastern redbud CECA4 Cercis canadensis Native – – hophornbeam OSVI Ostrya virginiana 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 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 5.1 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; native warm-season grasses provide 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.
Bird species associated with mid- to late successional woodlands to maturing 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 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.Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002, 2014):
Management: Field measured site index values average 61 for oak . 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. Using prescribed fire as a management tool could have a negative impact on timber quality or should be used with caution on a particular site if timber management is the primary objective.
Limitations: No major equipment restrictions or limitations exist. 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 Site: Loamy Exposed Backslope Woodland Plot CURICA02 – Gravois soil Located in Current River CA, Reynolds County, MO Latitude: 37.138311 Longitude: -91.095887
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.
Davis, Keith O. 2002. Soil Survey of Osage County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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.
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
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., & 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.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 for this ecological site development.
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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