Natural Resources
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Ecological site F116BY007MO
Dry Sandstone Upland Woodland
Last updated: 10/06/2020
Accessed: 08/30/2026
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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.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 116B–Springfield Plain
The Springfield Plain (area outlined in red on the map) is in the western part of the Ozark Uplift. It is primarily a smooth plateau with some dissection along streams. Elevation is about 1,000 feet in the north to over 1,700 feet in the east along the Burlington Escarpment adjacent to the Ozark Highlands. The underlying bedrock is mainly Mississippian-aged limestone, with areas of shale on lower slopes and structural benches, and intermittent Pennsylvanian-aged sandstone deposits on the plateau surface.
Classification relationships
Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Dry Sandstone Woodland.
Missouri Department of Conservation Forest and Woodland Communities (Missouri Department of Conservation, 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 a 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 within the following Land Type Associations:
Stockton Prairie/Savannah Dissected Plain
Upper Sac River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low Hills
Lower Sac River Oak Woodland Hills
Clear Creek Prairie/Savannah Dissected Plain
Bolivar Prairie/Savanna Plain
Upper Pomme de Terre Oak Savanna/Woodland Dissected PlainEcological 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”.
Dry Sandstone Upland Woodlands (green areas on the map) occur mainly in the north part of the Springfield Plain, on the Pennsylvanian-aged sandstone deposits. An isolated area also occurs in the far south of the area in Barry county, on Mississippian-aged sandstone. Soils are loamy and are moderately deep over sandstone bedrock. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by post oak with lesser amounts of black oak and white oak, and a ground flora of native grasses and forbs.Associated sites
F116BY017MO Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodland
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodlands are downslope.
F116BY019MO Low-Base Interbedded Sedimentary Upland Woodland
Low-base Low-Base Interbedded Sedimentary Upland Woodland Upland Woodlands are commonly downslope, on loser backslopes.
R116BY025MO Shallow Sandstone Upland Glade/Woodland
Shallow Sandstone Upland Glade/Woodlands are adjacent, and often downslope, where the depth to sandstone bedrock is less than 20 inches.
Similar sites
F116BY019MO Low-Base Interbedded Sedimentary Upland Woodland
Low-base Low-Base Interbedded Sedimentary Upland Woodland Upland Woodlands are similar in structure and overstory composition but understory species are different. These sites are somewhat more productive.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus stellata
(2) Quercus velutinaShrub (1) Vaccinium pallidum
(2) Rhus aromaticaHerbaceous (1) Schizachyrium scoparium
(2) DesmodiumPhysiographic features
This site is on upland summits, shoulders and backslopes with slopes of 2 to 15 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Dodd, 1985) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. In this figure, there is no demarcation between the Dry Sandstone Upland Woodland, labeled “1”, and the Shallow Sandstone Upland Glade/Woodland, labeled “2”. In general the Dry Sandstone Upland sites are upslope, on summits, shoulders and upper backslopes, whereas the Shallow Sandstone sites are on lower slopes above the Drainagway sites. Dry Sandstone Upland Woodlands and Shallow Sandstone Upland Glade/Woodland sites are intermingled in places.
Figure 1. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Hill
(2) Ridge
(3) Interfluve
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Slope 2 – 15 % Water table depth 60 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The Springfield Plain 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 Springfield Plain experiences few regional differences in climates. The average annual precipitation in this area is 41 to 45 inches. Snow falls nearly every winter, but the snow cover lasts for only a few days. The average annual temperature is about 55 to 58 degrees F. The lower temperatures occur at the higher elevations. Mean July maximum temperatures have a range of only one or two degrees across the area.
Mean annual precipitation varies along a west to east 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 (average) 170 days Freeze-free period (average) 200 days Precipitation total (average) 50 in BarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
BarLineFigure 3. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 4. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 5 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) SELIGMAN [USC00237645], Seligman, MO
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(2) STOCKTON DAM [USC00238082], Stockton, MO
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(3) ASH GROVE 4S [USC00230304], Ash Grove, MO
">Influencing water features
This ecological site is not influenced by wetland or riparian water features.
Soil features
These soils are underlain by sandstone bedrock at 20 to 40 inches. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is residuum weathered from sandstone. They have loam or fine sandy loam surface horizons, and loamy subsoils. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Bolivar and Lily.
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – sandstone
Surface texture (1) Loam
(2) Fine sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 20 – 40 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 11 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 16 % 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 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 18 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 25 % 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.
Dry Sandstone Upland Woodlands are dominated by post oak with lesser amounts of black oak and white oak. The canopy is height (50 to 70 feet) is fairly limited and somewhat open (45 to 85 percent canopy closure). Fire played an important role in the maintenance of this system. It is likely that this ecological site burned at least once every 5 years. These periodic fires kept woodlands open, removed the litter, and stimulated the growth and flowering of the grasses and forbs. Along with the moderate soil depth they would have further limited the growth and dominance of trees, especially eastern redcedar. 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.
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.
Dry Sandstone Upland 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 wooded 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 eastern redcedar 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. Removal of the younger understory and the application of prescribed fire have proven to be effective restoration means.
Uncontrolled domestic grazing has also impacted this community, 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 related to grazing can be a problem and lower site productivity.
This ecological site is marginally productive. Single tree selection timber harvests are used in this community but 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 the application of prescribed fire, 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 6. 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, 5 and 6 (additional transitions)
States 2 and 5 (additional transitions)
State 1 submodel, plant communities
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 1
ReferenceThe historical reference state for this ecological site was old growth woodland. This stage was dominated by post 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 very rare today. Many sites have been converted to non-native pasture (State 5). Others have been subject to repeated, high-graded timber harvest coupled with domestic livestock grazing (State 6). Fire suppression has resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Many reference states have been managed for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.
Community 1.1
Post Oak – Black Oak/Blue Ridge Blueberry – Fragrant Sumac/Little Bluestem - TicktrefoilForest 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
Post Oak – Black Oak/Hickory – Blue Ridge Blueberry /Little BluestemPathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2No disturbance (10+ yrs)
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Disturbance (fire, wind, ice) every 5-10 years
State 2
Even-Age Managed WoodlandThis state starts with a sequence of early seral mixed oak woodlands, which mature over time. These woodlands tend to be rather dense, with an underdeveloped understory and ground flora. Thinning can increase overall tree vigor and improve understory diversity. However, in the absence of fire, the diversity and cover of the ground flora is still diminished. Continual timber management, depending on the practices used, will either maintain this state, or convert the site to uneven-age (State 3) woodlands. Prescribed fire without extensive timber harvest will, over time, cause a transition to Fire Managed Oak Woodlands (State 4).
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
Community 2.1
Black Oak – Post Oak /Aromatic SumacState 3
Uneven-Age Managed WoodlandUneven-Age Managed Woodlands resemble their reference state. The biggest difference is tree age, most being only 50 to 90 years old. 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 and white oak will become less dominant. Uneven Age Managed Woodland is also dense because of fire suppression, but less so than the Even-Age Managed state. Consequently, the woodland ground flora is less suppressed and structural diversity is better maintained. Without periodic disturbance, stem density and fire intolerant species, like hickory, increase in abundance.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Black Oak – Hickory/Sassafras/ Woodland BromeState 4
Fire Managed Oak WoodlandThe Fire Managed Oak Woodland state results from managing woodland communities in states 2 or 3 with prescribed fire. This state resembles the reference state, with younger maximum tree ages and lower ground flora diversity.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 4.1
Post Oak – Black Oak/Little BluestemState 5
GrasslandType conversion of woodlands to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in the Springfield plateau. Steep slopes, abundant surface fragments, low organic matter contents and soil acidity make non-native pastures difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition to State 2 (Even-Age Managed). Timber Stand Improvement practices can hasten this process.
Community 5.1
Tall Fescue - Red CloverDominant resource concerns
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 5.2
Tall fescue - Broomsedge/Oak SproutsDominant resource concerns
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Sheet and rill erosion
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Ephemeral gully erosion
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Nutrients transported to surface water
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Plant productivity and health
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Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
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Feed and forage imbalance
Pathway P5.1A
Community 5.1 to 5.2Over grazing; no fertilization
Pathway P5.2A
Community 5.2 to 5.1Brush management; grassland seeding; grassland management
State 6
High-Graded/Grazed WoodlandWooded sites subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and domestic grazing transition to this State. This state exhibits an over-abundance of hickory and other less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff. Exclusion of cattle from sites in this state coupled with uneven-age management techniques will cause a transition to State 3 (Uneven-Age Managed).
Community 6.1
Black Oak – Post Oak - Hickory/Sassafras/BuckbrushTransition T1A
State 1 to 2Even-aged management; fire suppression
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Fire suppression; uneven-age management
Transition T1C
State 1 to 5Clearing; pasture planting; grassland management
Transition T1D
State 1 to 6Poorly planned harvest; uncontrolled grazing
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Prescribed fire; extended rotations
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3Uneven-age management
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4Prescribed fire; thinning
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Uneven-age management; extended rotations
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2Even-age management
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2Uneven-age management; fire suppression
Restoration pathway T4B
State 4 to 3Even-age management; fire suppression
Transition T5A
State 5 to 2Tree planting; long-term succession; no grazing
Transition T6A
State 6 to 5Clearing; 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) Treepost oak QUST Quercus stellata Native – 10-30 – 0 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – 10-30 – 0 white oak QUAL Quercus alba Native – 10-30 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 0-10 – 0 sassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum Native – 0-10 – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 0-10 – 0 common serviceberry AMAR3 Amelanchier arborea Native – 0-10 – 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 – 5–20 fuzzy wuzzy sedge CAHI6 Carex hirsutella Native – 5–20 Muhlenberg's sedge CAMU4 Carex muehlenbergii Native – 5–20 poverty oatgrass DASP2 Danthonia spicata Native – 5–20 hairy woodland brome BRPU6 Bromus pubescens Native – 5–20 variable panicgrass DICO2 Dichanthelium commutatum Native – 5–20 oval-leaf sedge CACE Carex cephalophora Native – 5–20 Forb/Herbcommon dittany CUOR Cunila origanoides Native – 5–20 prostrate ticktrefoil DERO3 Desmodium rotundifolium Native – 5–20 flaxleaf whitetop aster IOLI2 Ionactis linariifolius Native – 5–20 eastern beebalm MOBR2 Monarda bradburiana Native – 5–20 Sampson's snakeroot ORPE Orbexilum pedunculatum Native – 5–20 hairy goldenrod SOHI Solidago hispida Native – 5–20 manyray aster SYAN2 Symphyotrichum anomalum Native – 5–20 gravelweed VEHE Verbesina helianthoides Native – 5–20 birdfoot violet VIPE Viola pedata Native – 5–20 hairy sunflower HEHI2 Helianthus hirsutus Native – 5–20 eastern purple coneflower ECPU Echinacea purpurea Native – 5–20 Virginia spiderwort TRVI Tradescantia virginiana Native – 5–20 pointedleaf ticktrefoil DEGL5 Desmodium glutinosum Native – 5–20 nakedflower ticktrefoil DENU4 Desmodium nudiflorum Native – 5–20 Shrub/Subshrubfragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 5–20 Blue Ridge blueberry VAPA4 Vaccinium pallidum Native – 5–20 farkleberry VAAR Vaccinium arboreum Native – 5–20 St. Andrew's cross HYHY Hypericum hypericoides Native – 5–20 Treesassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum Native – 5–20 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 5.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 6.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (MDC 2006):
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.
Birds species associated with late successional to mature ecological sites 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 open 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.Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002; 2014):
Management: Field measured site index values average 55 for shortleaf pine and 53 for black oak. Timber management opportunities are fair. Sandy textures and lower available water affects tree growth and increases windthrow hazards. Harvest methods that leave some mature trees to provide shade and soil protection may be desirable. Restrict cuttings to group selection cuttings of 2 to 5 acres or single tree selections. These sites respond well to prescribed fire as a management tool.
Limitations: Bedrock may be within 40 inches. 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: Dry Sandstone Upland Woodland Plot STLACE01 – Bolivar soil Located in Stockton Lake COE/CA, Cedar County, MO Latitude: 37.581311 Longitude: -93.699679 Plot BLSPCA01 – Bolivar soil Located in Bluff Spring CA, Cedar County, MO Latitude: 37.787834 Longitude: -93.76076 Plot TUCRCA02 – Bolivar soil Located in Turkey Creek CA, Cedar County, MO Latitude: 37.781428 Longitude: -93.680559 Plot TUCRCA03 – Bolivar soil Located in Turkey Creek CA, Cedar County, MO Latitude: 37.782699 Longitude: -93.683402
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.
Dodd, Jerry A. 1985. Soil Survey of Christian County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil 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.
Nigh, Timothy A. and Walter A. Schroeder. 2002. Atlas of Missouri Ecoregions. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.
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
Doug Wallace
Fred YoungApproval
Nels Barrett, 10/06/2020
Acknowledgments
Missouri Department of Conservation and Missouri Department of Natural Resources personnel provided significant and helpful field and technical support in the development of this ecological site.
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 09/15/2020 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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