Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F116BY039MO
Fragipan Upland Flatwoods
Last updated: 10/07/2020
Accessed: 08/07/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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.
Click to explore map
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 an Upland Flatwoods.
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 / Cinna arundinacea Flatwoods Forest (CEGL002405).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily within the following Land Type Associations:
Seymour Highland Oak Savanna/Woodland Dissected Karst Plain
Spring River Prairie/Savanna Dissected Plain
Springfield Karst Prairie 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”.
Fragipan Upland Flatwoods occur throughout the Ozark Highlands. Within the Springfield Plain they are confined mainly to the flat to gently rolling, loess covered dissected plains in the southern half of the region, particularly around the James River, and Finley and Shoal Creeks. Soils have root-restricting fragipans. The reference plant community is woodland with an overstory dominated by post oak and blackjack oak, and an understory of wet-tolerant grasses, sedges, and forbs.Associated sites
F116BY001MO Fragipan Upland Woodland
Fragipan Upland Woodlands are adjacent, on more convex summit positions.
F116BY003MO Chert Upland Woodland
Chert Upland Woodlands and other upland ecological sites are downslope, on shouders and backslopes.
Similar sites
F116BY001MO Fragipan Upland Woodland
Fragipan Upland Woodlands are adjacent, on more convex summit positions and not as wet.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Quercus stellata
(2) Quercus marilandicaShrub (1) Rhus aromatica
Herbaceous (1) Carex
(2) Schizachyrium scopariumPhysiographic features
This site is on level upland summits that include broad shallow depressions in many areas. Slopes range from 0 to 3 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Aldrich, 1989) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. The site is within the area labeled “3”, on level upland summits. Fragipan Upland Woodlands labeled “1” are often adjacent on broadly convex upland summits. Chert Upland Woodland sites are often directly downslope and are included within the area labeled “2”.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Plateau
(2) Depression
Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency Occasional to frequent Slope 0 – 3 % Water table depth 0 – 27 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 some 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 is normal, moisture is stored in the soil profile 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. Drought indirectly affects ecological communities by increasing plant and animal susceptibility to the probability and severity of fire. Frequent fires encourage the development of grass/forb dominated communities and understories.
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 that may result in a strikingly different vegetational composition and community structure. Higher daytime temperatures of bare rock surfaces and higher reflectivity of these unvegetated surfaces create characteristic glade and cliff ecological sites. 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 ecological site is measurably different from the climate of the more open grassland or savanna ecological sites.
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) 140-150 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 180-190 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 50-50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 140-160 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 180-190 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
-
(1) NEOSHO [USC00235976], Neosho, MO
-
(2) MT VERNON M U SW CTR [USC00235862], Mount Vernon, MO
-
(3) SPRINGFIELD [USW00013995], Springfield, MO
">Influencing water features
A seasonal high water table occurs, perched on the fragipan in the subsoil. Temporary ponding can occur following heavy rains. These areas are in the MINERAL FLAT class in the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) system (Brinson, 1993), and are Forested Palustrine wetlands (Cowardin et al., 1979).
Soil features
These soils have a root-restricting fragipan at about 24 inches. The soils were formed under woodland vegetation, and have thin, light-colored surface horizons. They have silt loam surface horizons, and silty clay loam subsoils. Soil materials in and below the fragipan may be very gravelly. Parent material is a thin layer of loess over residuum derived primarily from cherty limestone. These soils are affected by seasonal wetness in spring months from a water table perched on the fragipan. Soil series associated with this site include Bado and Needleye.
The accompanying picture of the Needleye series shows a thin, light-colored surface horizon and brown gravelly silty clay loam subsoil, over a fragipan at about 30 inches. The fragipan is a barrier to roots. Redoximorphic features in the subsoil above the fragipan are an indication of seasonal wetness. Scale is in feet. Picture courtesy of Dennis Meinert, Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
Figure 9. Needleye series
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – cherty limestone
(2) Loess
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
Family particle size (1) Loamy
Drainage class Poorly drained to somewhat poorly drained Permeability class Very slow Soil depth 16 – 30 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4 – 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)4.5 – 6 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)5 – 50 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 5 % 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.
Historically, Fragipan Upland Flatwoods were dominated by drought and fire-tolerant post oak and blackjack oak that were also very tolerant of seasonal wetness. Their landscape position and juxtaposition to prairies lead to a high fire frequency (every 1 to 3 years). The Fragipan Upland Flatwoods ranged from open savannas near the prairie edge to open, park-like woodlands farther away. Canopy closure varied from 30 to 60 percent and tree height from 35 to 50 feet. Seasonal wetness created periods of time where standing water limited tree growth and ground flora development.
Native sedges along with prairie grasses dominated the open understory, along with a scattered mix of native legumes, asters, sunflowers and other forbs. Dense thickets of oak sprouts occurred during periods of less-frequent fire, but periodic fire would eventually clear them out. Grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer, also influenced the understory, keeping it more open and structurally diverse.
Today, this community has been cleared and converted to pasture, or has increased stand density in the absence of fire. Most occurrences exhibit canopy closure of 80 to 100 percent. In addition, the sub-canopy and understory layers are more developed. Post oak and blackjack oak share dominance with black oak and black hickory. Under these denser, more shaded conditions, the original sun-loving ground flora has diminished in diversity and cover. While some woodland species persist in the ground flora, many have been replaced by more shade-tolerant species.
Uncontrolled domestic grazing has also impacted these communities, further diminishing the diversity of native plants and introducing invasive species that are tolerant of grazing, such as coralberry, gooseberry, Virginia creeper and, in severely overgrazed situations, mosses and lichens.
Although timber products from flatwoods are of limited value, logging does occur, and influences the community. Occasional partial cuts provide sunlight to the woodland floor, stimulating native woodland ground flora. However, in the absence of fire and continual cultural treatments, oaks sprout and grow into a dense stand, again shading out the sun-loving ground flora. Partial cutting and prescribed fire can, however, restore the more open structure and diversity of ground flora species. Managed areas show an exceptional resiliency. This type of management may provide limited timber products, abundant 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
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 1 submodel, plant communities
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThese open woodland communities were strongly influenced by fire and seasonal wetness. Herbivory by native (now expatriated) ungulates also played a role. Consequently, drought and fire-tolerant post and blackjack oaks over a ground flora of tallgrass prairie grasses, sedges and wildflowers made up the flatwood community. There are two phases associated with this reference state.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ponding and flooding
-
Seasonal high water table
Community 1.1
Post Oak – Blackjack Oak/Sedge – Little BluestemThe overstory is dominated by post oak and blackjack oak, with scattered black oak and black hickory. This open woodland community typically has a two-tiered structure, with canopy height of 35 to 50 feet and 40 to 60 percent closure. The abundant herbaceous layer is dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem and Indiangrass.
Forest overstory.The Forest Overstory Species list is based on field reconnaissance as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson 2010; names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Forest understory. Forest Understory Species list is based on field reconnaissance as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson 2010; names and symbols are from USDA PLANTS database.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ponding and flooding
-
Seasonal high water table
Community 1.2
Post Oak – Blackjack Oak / Oak & Hickory Saplings /Sedge – Little BluestemThe overstory is dominated by post oak and blackjack oak, with scattered black oak and black hickory. This brushy woodland community typically has a three-tiered structure, with 40 to 80 percent closure. It is characterized by a thick understory of oak saplings, and shrubs. The herbaceous layer is dominated by little bluestem.
Forest overstory.The overstory is dominated by post oak and blackjack oak, with scattered black oak and black hickory.
Forest understory. It is characterized by a thick understory of oak saplings, and shrubs. The herbaceous layer is dominated by little bluestem.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Ponding and flooding
-
Seasonal high water table
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Fire-free interval, 5-10 years
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Controlled fire every 1-3 years
State 2
Fire Excluded WoodlandMost current areas of Fragipan Upland Flatwoods have experienced fire exclusion for decades. In the absence of fire, ongoing recruitment of trees into the canopy develops a closed canopy, shading out the rich herbaceous ground flora. Black oak and mid-story species increase. Herbaceous cover and diversity greatly diminishes, leaf litter builds up, and more shade-tolerant woodland species persist, such as elm-leaved goldenrod, panic grass and spreading aster. The understory also develops with oak and hickory saplings along with sassafras.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 2.1
Post Oak – Black Oak – Black Hickory / Oak & Hickory Saplings /Sedge
Figure 11. Dry Upland Flatwoods restoration at the Fuson Cons
The overstory is dominated by post oak, black oak, and black hickory. Scattered blackjack oak and white oak occur in the canopy as well. This closed woodland community has a multi-tiered structure, with 80 to 100 percent canopy closure. The understory includes oak and hickory saplings along with sassafras and black cherry. Herbaceous cover is relatively sparse, with relatively low diversity. Shade-tolerant woodland species persist, such as elm-leaved goldenrod, panic grass and spreading aster.
State 3
Logged and Grazed WoodlandAlthough many of the closed Fragipan Upland Flatwoods are now fenced, most have been heavily grazed by domestic livestock at some point in their history. Grazing decreases the cover and abundance of saplings, shrubs and herbaceous ground flora, opening up the understory. Weedy native shrubs and vines, such as coralberry, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper, often flourish after grazing, and exotic species like tall fescue and sericea lespedeza increase in abundance. Poorly managed grazing can cause compaction and denudation of the soil surface, allowing mats of lichens and mosses to flourish. Soil compaction may also further limit height growth of trees. With poorly managed grazing, this can result in an increase in weedy natives such as broom sedge, and exotics such as sericea lespedeza if they are present. Single-tree timber harvesting also occurred, resulting in a high grading of the canopy structure, creating many stands with poor quality trees.
Dominant resource concerns
-
Compaction
-
Ponding and flooding
-
Seasonal high water table
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Wildfire hazard from biomass accumulation
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Black Oak – Black Hickory / Coralberry/ BroomsedgeThe overstory is dominated by post oak, black oak, and black hickory. Scattered blackjack oak and white oak occur in the canopy as well. This closed woodland community has a two to three-tiered structure, and a 60 to 80 percent canopy closure. The understory includes weedy native shrubs and vines, such as buckbrush, gooseberry, poison ivy and Virginia creeper. Herbaceous cover is sparse and includes weedy natives such as broom sedge, and exotics such as sericea lespedeza. Mats of lichens and mosses occur on areas denuded by livestock.
State 4
GrasslandConversion of flatwood ecological sites to planted, non-native grassland species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common occurrence. Clearing is often done by bulldozing. This practice often strips the thin topsoil along with most of the native ground cover plants. Occasionally, clumps of trees will be left in small groves for shade, giving the structural appearance of historic woodlands. However, Fragipan Upland Flatwoods have most often been converted into tall fescue grasslands, adjacent to densely overgrown and grazed woodlots. A return from this condition to a flatwoods state requires enormous cost and management inputs.
Community 4.1
Tall Fescue – Red CloverDominant resource concerns
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 4.2
Tall fescue – Broomsedge/Oak SproutsDominant resource concerns
-
Nutrients transported to surface water
-
Plant productivity and health
-
Plant structure and composition
-
Plant pest pressure
-
Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
-
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; prescribed grazing; grassland management
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Fire suppression; managed timber harvests
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Fire suppression; high grading timber harvest; uncontrolled domestic grazing
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Clearing; grassland planting; grassland management
Restoration pathway R1B
State 2 to 1Thinning; prescribed fire - 1-3 years; forest stand improvement
Transition T2A
State 2 to 3This transition is the result of poorly managed domestic grazing and improper logging activities.
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4This transition is the result of clearcutting the hardwood canopy species and planting shortleaf pine.
Restoration pathway R1A
State 3 to 1Exclude domestic grazing; thinning; prescribed fire - 1-3 years; forest stand improvement; extended rotations
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2This transition results from the exclusion of domestic grazing and implementation of good forest management activities.
Transition T3C
State 3 to 4Clearing; grassland planting; grassland management
Transition T4A
State 4 to 2Tree planting; forest stand improvement; no grazing; brush 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 – 20-40 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 20-40 – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 10-30 – 0 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – 10-30 – 0 sassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum 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 – 5–30 eastern star sedge CARA8 Carex radiata Native – 5–20 inland rush JUIN2 Juncus interior Native – 5–20 Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – 5–20 Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans Native – 5–20 oval-leaf sedge CACE Carex cephalophora Native – 5–20 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii Native – 5–20 poverty oatgrass DASP2 Danthonia spicata Native – 5–20 blue sedge CAGL6 Carex glaucodea Native – 5–20 broomsedge bluestem ANVI2 Andropogon virginicus Native – 5–10 Forb/Herblate purple aster SYPAP2 Symphyotrichum patens var. patens Native – 1–10 queendevil HIGR3 Hieracium gronovii Native – 1–10 hairy sunflower HEHI2 Helianthus hirsutus Native – 1–10 smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil DEMA2 Desmodium marilandicum Native – 1–10 panicledleaf ticktrefoil DEPA6 Desmodium paniculatum Native – 1–10 slender lespedeza LEVI7 Lespedeza virginica Native – 1–10 sidebeak pencilflower STBI2 Stylosanthes biflora Native – 1–10 white wild indigo BAAL Baptisia alba Native – 1–10 elmleaf goldenrod SOUL2 Solidago ulmifolia Native – 1–10 common cinquefoil POSI2 Potentilla simplex Native – 1–10 Virginia tephrosia TEVI Tephrosia virginiana Native – 1–10 stiff tickseed COPA10 Coreopsis palmata Native – 1–10 largeflower yellow false foxglove AUGR Aureolaria grandiflora Native – 1–10 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria Native – 1–10 American hogpeanut AMBR2 Amphicarpaea bracteata Native – 1–10 Shrub/Subshrubblack huckleberry GABA Gaylussacia baccata Native – 5–10 fragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 5–10 New Jersey tea CEAM Ceanothus americanus Native – 5–10 American hazelnut COAM3 Corylus americana Native – 5–10 Table 8. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 1.2 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 – 40-60 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 30-50 – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 20-40 – 0 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – 20-30 – 0 sassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum Native – 0-20 – 0 Table 10. Community 1.2 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium Native – 20–60 poverty oatgrass DASP2 Danthonia spicata Native – 20–40 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii Native – 10–30 Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans Native – 10–30 Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – 10–20 broomsedge bluestem ANVI2 Andropogon virginicus Native – 5–10 hirsute sedge CACO9 Carex complanata Native – 5–10 blue sedge CAGL6 Carex glaucodea Native – 5–10 Leiberg's panicum DILE2 Dichanthelium leibergii Native – 5–10 Forb/Herbstiff tickseed COPA10 Coreopsis palmata Native – 5–20 largeflower yellow false foxglove AUGR Aureolaria grandiflora Native – 5–20 slender lespedeza LEVI7 Lespedeza virginica Native – 5–20 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria Native – 5–20 smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil DEMA2 Desmodium marilandicum Native – 5–20 panicledleaf ticktrefoil DEPA6 Desmodium paniculatum Native – 5–20 American hogpeanut AMBR2 Amphicarpaea bracteata Native – 5–10 sidebeak pencilflower STBI2 Stylosanthes biflora Native – 5–10 hairy hawkweed HILO2 Hieracium longipilum Native – 5–10 trailing lespedeza LEPR Lespedeza procumbens Native – 5–10 Shrub/SubshrubNew Jersey tea CEAM Ceanothus americanus Native – 0–20 American hazelnut COAM3 Corylus americana Native – 0–20 black huckleberry GABA Gaylussacia baccata Native – 0–20 fragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 0–20 Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.1 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) Treeblack hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 20-30 – 0 white oak QUAL Quercus alba Native – 10-30 – 0 post oak QUST Quercus stellata Native – 20-30 – 0 black oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – 20-30 – 0 sassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum Native – 10-20 – 0 rusty blackhaw VIRU Viburnum rufidulum Native – 10-20 – 0 black cherry PRSE2 Prunus serotina Native – 5-20 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 5-20 – 0 eastern redcedar JUVI Juniperus virginiana Native – 5-20 – 0 Table 13. Community 2.1 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 Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans Native – 0–10 poverty oatgrass DASP2 Danthonia spicata Native – 5–10 Leiberg's panicum DILE2 Dichanthelium leibergii Native – 5–10 Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – 5–10 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii Native – 0–10 broomsedge bluestem ANVI2 Andropogon virginicus Native – 0–5 Forb/Herbelmleaf goldenrod SOUL2 Solidago ulmifolia Native – 10–20 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria Native – 0–10 slender lespedeza LEVI7 Lespedeza virginica Native – 5–10 smooth small-leaf ticktrefoil DEMA2 Desmodium marilandicum Native – 5–10 panicledleaf ticktrefoil DEPA6 Desmodium paniculatum Native – 5–10 Shrub/Subshrubfragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 0–10 Vine/LianaVirginia creeper PAQU2 Parthenocissus quinquefolia Native – 0–10 Table 14. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 3.1 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) Treeblack oak QUVE Quercus velutina Native – 10-40 – 0 post oak QUST Quercus stellata Native – 20-40 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 10-30 – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 10-30 – 0 eastern redcedar JUVI Juniperus virginiana Native – 0-20 – 0 black cherry PRSE2 Prunus serotina Native – 0-10 – 0 white oak QUAL Quercus alba Native – 5-10 – 0 sassafras SAAL5 Sassafras albidum Native – 0-10 – 0 Table 16. Community 3.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)broomsedge bluestem ANVI2 Andropogon virginicus Native – 10–30 poverty oatgrass DASP2 Danthonia spicata Native – 5–10 Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native – 5–10 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium Native – 5–10 Forb/Herbsericea lespedeza LECU Lespedeza cuneata Introduced – 10–30 pussytoes ANTEN Antennaria Native – 0–5 slender lespedeza LEVI7 Lespedeza virginica Native – 0–5 Shrub/Subshrubbuckbrush CECU Ceanothus cuneatus Native – 10–50 eastern prickly gooseberry RICY Ribes cynosbati Introduced – 10–30 fragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 5–10 Treeblack cherry PRSE2 Prunus serotina Native – 0–5 Vine/Lianaeastern poison ivy TORA2 Toxicodendron radicans Native – 10–30 Virginia creeper PAQU2 Parthenocissus quinquefolia Native – 10–20 Table 17. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 18. Community 4.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife (MDC 2006):
Oaks provide hard mast; numerous native legumes provide high-quality wildlife food; native warm-season grasses provide extensive cover and nesting habitat; and forbs provide a diversity and abundance of insects.
Bird species associated with early-successional Upland Flatwoods are Northern Bobwhite, Painted Bunting, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Blue-winged Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Brown Thrasher, and Bachman’s Sparrow. Birds associated with mid- to late successional sites 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 Upland Flatwoods 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 50 for post oak and 53 for black oak. Generally, the deeper the fragipan, the higher the site index values. Timber management opportunities are poor to fair. These sites have a root-restricting fragipan, which impedes rooting. Reduced rooting depth restricts tree growth and increases windthrow hazards. 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, group selection cuttings of ½ to 1 acre, or crop tree release are other options that can be used if clear cutting is not desired or warranted. These sites respond well to prescribed fire as a management tool.
Limitations: Restricted rooting depth; seasonal wetness. Unsurfaced roads and traffic areas tend to be slippery and form ruts easily when wet. Graveling roads facilitates year-round use. Equipment use when wet may compact soil and damage tree roots. Planting is difficult during wet spring periods. Seedling mortality may be high due to excess seasonal wetness, shallow effective rooting depths or sodium. Ridging the soil and planting on the ridges may increase survival. The use of equipment can become restricted in spring and other excessively wet periods.Table 19. Representative site productivity
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Fragipan Upland Flatwoods Plot SARCA02 – Needleye soil Located in Sare CA, Greene County, MO Latitude: 37.363352 Longitude: -93.327492
Other references
Aldrich, Max W. 1989. Soil Survey of Newton County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Soil Conservation Service.
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.
Brinson, M.M. 1993. A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands. Technical Report WRP-DE-4, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, & E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Dept. of Interior, Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington DC.
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.
Taft, J. B., M.W. Schwartz and R.P. Loy. 1995. Vegetation ecology of flatwoods on the Illinoian till plain. Journal of Vegetation Science 6: 647-666.
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
Douglas 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 08/07/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
