Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F116BY036MO
Interbedded Sedimentary Exposed Backslope Woodland
Last updated: 10/07/2020
Accessed: 08/16/2026
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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): 116B–Springfield Plain
The Springfield Plain 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 Chert 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 Post Oak Woodland.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL005281).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily within the following Land Type Associations:
Little Sac River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low Hills
James River Oak Savanna/Woodland Low HillsEcological 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”.
Interbedded Sedimentary Exposed Backslope Woodlands occur on steep backslopes with southern and western aspects primarily along the northeast edge of the Springfield Plain, typically on lower hillslopes where shale is near the surface. A few areas occur to the south in upper reaches of the Elk River and Roaring River, and along upper reaches of Bull Shoals Lake. This site is mapped in complex with the Interbedded Sedimentary Protected Backslope Forest ecological site. Soils are moderately deep to deep over interbedded shale and mudstone bedrock, and typically have shale and mudstone fragments in clayey subsoils. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by post oak and blackjack oak and a ground flora of native grasses and forbs.Associated sites
F116BY004MO Low-Base Chert Upland Woodland
Low-base Chert Upland Woodlands are upslope.
F116BY012MO Interbedded Sedimentary Protected Backslope Forest
Interbedded Sedimentary Protected Backslope Forests are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep northern and eastern aspects.
F116BY017MO Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodland
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodlands are downslope.
Similar sites
F116BY012MO Interbedded Sedimentary Protected Backslope Forest
Interbedded Sedimentary Protected Backslope Forests are mapped in complex with this ecological site, on steep northern and eastern aspects but are more productive.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus stellata
(2) Quercus marilandicaShrub (1) Rhus aromatica
Herbaceous (1) Schizachyrium scoparium
(2) Helianthus hirsutusPhysiographic features
This site is on upland backslopes with slopes of 15 to over 50 percent. It is on exposed aspects (south, southwest, and west), which receive significantly more solar radiation than the protected aspects. The site receives runoff from upslope summit and shoulder sites, and generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Dodd, 1990) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. Interbedded Sedimentary Exposed Backslope Woodland sites are within the area labeled as “3”, and are typically on lower slopes where the shale and mustone crops out downslope from the overlying limestone. Structural benches and upper, less sloping backslopes within this area are in the Interbedded Sedimentary Upland Woodland ecological sites. Low-base Chert Upland Woodland sites are typically upslope, and areas of Low-base Chert Upland sites are shown on upper slopes within the area labeled as “3”. Several soils are included within the Low-base Chert Upland Woodland area labeled as “2”, as indicated by the dashed line within the delineation.
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 – 50 % Water table depth 13 – 39 in Aspect W, S, SW 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 (characteristic range) 150-160 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 190-190 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 150-160 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 180-190 days Precipitation total (actual range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (average) 160 days Freeze-free period (average) 190 days Precipitation total (average) 50 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 5. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 6. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 7. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 8 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) SPRINGFIELD [USW00013995], Springfield, MO
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(2) STOCKTON DAM [USC00238082], Stockton, MO
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(3) SELIGMAN [USC00237645], Seligman, MO
">Influencing water features
This ecological site is not influenced by wetland or riparian water features. This site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. The water features of this upland ecological site include evapotranspiration, surface runoff, and drainage. Each water balance component fluctuates to varying extents from year-to-year. Evapotranspiration remains the most constant. Precipitation and drainage are highly variable between years. Seasonal variability differs for each water component. Precipitation generally occurs as single day events. Evapotranspiration is lowest in the winter and peaks in the summer. Water stored as ice and snow decreases drainage and surface runoff rates throughout the winter and increases these fluxes in the spring. The surface runoff pulse is greatly influenced by extreme events. Conversion to cropland or other high intensities land uses tends to increase runoff, but also decreases evapotranspiration. Depending on the situation, this might increase groundwater discharge, and decrease baseflow in receiving streams.
Soil features
These soils are underlain by interbedded shale, mudstone and limestone bedrock between 40 and 70 inches, although the site definition allows for soils as shallow as 20 inches. The subsoils are not low in bases. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium over residuum derived from siltstone and shale. They have silt loam surface horizons that are often gravelly, and clayey subsoils with varying amounts of shale fragments. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Alsup and Boskydell.
The accompanying picture of the Alsup series shows a thin gravelly silt loam surface horizon over a yellowish brown, clayey subsoil. The olive yellow colors below about 80 cm in this picture are inherited from the shale parent material. Soft shale is below one meter, at the bottom of this picture. Scale is in centimeters. Picture from Henderson (2004).
Figure 9. Alsup series
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – shale and siltstone
(2) Slope alluvium
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Gravelly silt loam
(3) Very channery silty clay loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Moderately well drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 20 – 60 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 10 – 20 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 30 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)2 – 5 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 – 7.8 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)5 – 10 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 50 % Ecological dynamics
Information contained in this section was developed using historical data, professional experience, field reviews, and scientific studies. The information presented is representative of very complex vegetation communities. Key indicator plants, animals and ecological processes are described to help inform land management decisions. Plant communities will differ across the MLRA because of the naturally occurring variability in weather, soils, and aspect. The Reference Plant Community is not necessarily the management goal. The species lists are representative and are not botanical descriptions of all species occurring, or potentially occurring, on this site. They are not intended to cover every situation or the full range of conditions, species, and responses for the site.
The reference plant community is woodland dominated by an overstory of post oak, hickory and blackjack oak. The moderately deep soils and dry aspects of Interbedded Sedimentary Exposed Backslope Woodlands limit the growth of trees but support an abundance of native grasses and forbs in the understory. Historically, fire tolerant post oak along with blackjack oak and hickory dominated an open canopy. Woodlands are distinguished from forest, by their relatively open understory, and the presence of sun-loving ground flora species.
Fire played an important role in the maintenance of these sites. It is likely that these ecological sites 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. 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. In the long term absence of fire, woody species, such as eastern redcedar, hickory, and black oak encroach into these woodlands. Once established, these woody plants can quickly fill the existing understory increasing shade levels, greatly diminishing ground flora. Opening the canopy, removing the younger understory and applying 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 related to grazing can be a problem and lower site productivity.
Managed areas show an exceptional resiliency with the removal of the younger understory by thinning and the application of prescribed fire. Characteristic ground flora (see understory list) can be used to gauge the restoration potential of a stand along with remnant open-grown old-age trees, and tree height growth. This type of management can provide limited timber products, wildlife habitat, and potential native forage.
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
States 1 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 1
ReferenceThe reference state was dominated by post oak and black oak. Periodic disturbances from fire, wind and ice maintained the dominance of oak species by opening up the canopy and allowing more light for oak reproduction. Long disturbance-free periods allowed an increase in more shade tolerant species such as hickory. 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). Fire suppression has also resulted in increased canopy density, which has affected the abundance and diversity of ground flora. Many reference sites have been managed for timber harvest, resulting in either even-age (State 2) or uneven-age (State 3) woodlands.Community 1.1
Post Oak – Blackjack Oak/Fragrant Sumac/Little Bluestem – Hairy Sunflower
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
Post Oak – Blackjack Oak/Fragrant Sumac – Oak Sprouts/Little Bluestem – Hairy SunflowerPathway P.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2No disturbances (10+ years)
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Disturbances (fire, wind, ice) < 10 years
State 2
Even-Age Managed WoodlandThese woodlands tend to be 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 Woodland (state 3).
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant structure and composition
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Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.1
Post Oak – Black Oak /Fragrant Sumac / Woodland BromeState 3
Uneven-Age Managed WoodlandComposition and tree age (most being only 50 to 90 years old) are 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 will become less dominant.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant structure and composition
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Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Post Oak – Black Oak /Red Bud/ Woodland Brome – Muly GrassState 4
GrasslandConversion of woodlands to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common. Steep slopes, surface fragments and low organic matter content make non-native pastures challenging to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site. If grazing and active pasture management is discontinued, the site will eventually transition, over time, to State 2 (Even-Age Managed Woodland).
Community 4.1
Tall Fescue - Red CloverThis herbaceous community is typically dominated by tall fescue and red clover. Various other grass and forb species are typically present, in various amounts. Shrub and pioneer tree species such as eastern redcedar and hickory and oak typically invade sites that are not regularly managed.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 4.2
Tall fescue - Broomsedge/Oak SproutsDominant resource concerns
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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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Plant pest pressure
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
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Feed and forage imbalance
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 WoodlandWooded 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).
Dominant resource concerns
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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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Plant pest pressure
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Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 5.1
Hickory – Black Oak / BuckbrushTransition T1A
State 1 to 2This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest and fire suppression.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3This transition typically results from uneven-age timber management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest and fire suppression.
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Clearing; grassland planting; grassland management
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5This transition is the result of clearing the woodland community and planting pasture species. Soil erosion can be extensive in this process, along with loss of organic matter. Liming and fertilizing associated with pasture management typically raises the soil pH and increases the cation concentration (such as calcium and magnesium) of the upper soil horizons.
Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1Extended rotations; forest stand improvement; prescribed fire
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3This transition typically results from uneven-age forest management practices, such as single tree or group selection harvest.
Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1Extended rotations; forest stand improvement; prescribed fire
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2This transition typically results from even-age forest management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2This transition typically results from even-age timber management practices, such as clear-cut, seed tree or shelterwood harvest.
Transition T5B
State 5 to 3Uneven-age management; tree planting; no grazing; forest stand improvement
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4Clearing; grassland 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 – 10-20 – 0 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – 10-20 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 10-20 – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 10-20 – 0 shagbark hickory CAOV2 Carya ovata Native – 5-20 – 0 shortleaf pine PIEC2 Pinus echinata Native – 0-10 – 0 white oak QUAL Quercus alba Native – 5-10 – 0 Table 7. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)hairy woodland brome BRPU6 Bromus pubescens Native – 5–20 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula Native – 5–20 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium Native – 5–20 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii Native – 5–20 Pennsylvania sedge CAPE6 Carex pensylvanica Native – 5–20 blue sedge CAGL6 Carex glaucodea Native – 5–20 fuzzy wuzzy sedge CAHI6 Carex hirsutella Native – 5–20 parasol sedge CAUM4 Carex umbellata Native – 5–20 oval-leaf sedge CACE Carex cephalophora Native – 5–20 variable panicgrass DICO2 Dichanthelium commutatum Native – 5–20 slimleaf panicgrass DILI2 Dichanthelium linearifolium Native – 5–20 Bosc's panicgrass DIBO2 Dichanthelium boscii Native – 5–20 Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – 5–20 eastern bottlebrush grass ELHY Elymus hystrix Native – 5–20 prairie dropseed SPHE Sporobolus heterolepis Native – 5–20 poverty oatgrass DASP2 Danthonia spicata Native – 5–20 rock muhly MUSO Muhlenbergia sobolifera Native – 1–10 Forb/Herbpointedleaf ticktrefoil DEGL5 Desmodium glutinosum Native – 1–10 smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil DEMA2 Desmodium marilandicum Native – 1–10 eastern purple coneflower ECPU Echinacea purpurea Native – 1–10 butterfly milkweed ASTU Asclepias tuberosa Native – 1–10 nakedflower ticktrefoil DENU4 Desmodium nudiflorum Native – 1–10 Arkansas bedstraw GAAR4 Galium arkansanum Native – 1–10 American ipecac GIST5 Gillenia stipulata Native – 1–10 hairy sunflower HEHI2 Helianthus hirsutus Native – 1–10 eastern beebalm MOBR2 Monarda bradburiana Native – 1–10 bristly buttercup RAHI Ranunculus hispidus Native – 1–10 slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum Native – 1–10 fire pink SIVI4 Silene virginica Native – 1–10 elmleaf goldenrod SOUL2 Solidago ulmifolia Native – 1–10 manyray aster SYAN2 Symphyotrichum anomalum Native – 1–10 woman's tobacco ANPL Antennaria plantaginifolia Native – 1–10 fire pink SIVI4 Silene virginica Native – 1–10 smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil DEMA2 Desmodium marilandicum Native – 1–10 pointedleaf ticktrefoil DEGL5 Desmodium glutinosum Native – 1–10 American lopseed PHLE5 Phryma leptostachya Native – 1–10 bearded shorthusk BRER2 Brachyelytrum erectum Native – 1–10 flowering spurge EUCO10 Euphorbia corollata Native – 1–10 button eryngo ERYU Eryngium yuccifolium Native – 1–10 Virginia tephrosia TEVI Tephrosia virginiana Native – 1–10 fringeleaf wild petunia RUHU Ruellia humilis Native – 1–10 Shrub/SubshrubSt. Andrew's cross HYHY Hypericum hypericoides Native – 5–10 leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens Native – 5–10 Carolina rose ROCA4 Rosa carolina Native – 5–10 fragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 5–10 American hazelnut COAM3 Corylus americana Native – 5–10 New Jersey tea CEAM Ceanothus americanus Native – 5–10 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 hard mast; scattered shrubs provide soft mast; native legumes provide high-quality wildlife food.
Sedges and native cool-season grasses provide green browse; patchy 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 Dry Oak Woodlands are Indigo Bunting, Red-headed Woodpecker, Eastern Bluebird, Northern Bobwhite, Summer Tanager, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Whip-poor-will, Chuck-will’s widow, and Red-eyed Vireo.
Reptiles and amphibians associated with Dry Oak Woodlands include ornate box turtle, northern fence lizard, five-lined skink, coal skink, broad-headed skink, six-lined racerunner, western slender glass lizard, prairie ring-necked snake, flat-headed snake, rough earth snake, red milk snake, western pygmy rattlesnake, and timber rattlesnake.Other information
Forestry (NRCS 2002; 2014)
Management: Field measured site index values average 51 for post oak and 50 for black oak. 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. Prescribed fire is an effective management tool for this site.
Limitations: Coarse fragments throughout profile; bedrock may be within 60 inches. Surface stones and rocks are problems for efficient and safe equipment operation and will make equipment use somewhat difficult. Disturbing the surface excessively in harvesting operations and building roads increases soil losses, which leaves a greater amount of coarse fragments on the surface. Hand planting or direct seeding may be necessary. Seedling mortality due to low available water capacity may be high. Mulching or providing shade can improve seedling survival. Mechanical tree planting will be limited. Erosion is a hazard when slopes exceed 15 percent. On steep slopes greater than 35 percent, traction problems increase and equipment use is not recommended.Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Interbedded Sedimentary Exposed Backslope Woodland Plot PLHOCA05 – Alsup soil Located in Pleasant Hope CA, Polk County, MO Latitude: 37.431014 Longitude: -93.297112 Plot LISACA01 – Alsup soil Located in Little Sac Woods CA, Greene County, MO Latitude: 37.38936 Longitude: -93.389519 Plot PLHOCA01 – Alsup soil Located in Pleasant Hope CA, Polk County, MO Latitude: 37.430912 Longitude: -93.296966 Plot RORISP05 – Boskydell Located in Roaring River SP, Barry County, MO Latitude: 36.593329 Longitude: -93.844319 Plot SARCA01 – Alsup Located in Sare CA, Greene County, MO Latitude: 37.368021 Longitude: -93.323176 Plot FLSPCA02 – Boskydell Located in Flag Spring CA, Barry County, MO Latitude: 36.593829 Longitude: -94.032247
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. 1990. Soil Survey of Webster 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.
Henderson, Richard L. 2004. Soil Survey of Cedar County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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. 2006. 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
Fred Young
Doug WallaceApproval
Nels Barrett, 10/07/2020
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 09/30/2020 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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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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