Natural Resources
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Ecological site R116BY021MO
Chert Upland Prairie
Last updated: 10/07/2020
Accessed: 07/14/2026
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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-Mesic Chert Prairie.
National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Danthonia spicata - Silene regia Chert Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL002211).
Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This ecological site occurs primarily within the following Land Type Associations:
Spring River Prairie/Savanna Dissected Plain
Lockwood Smooth Prairie Plain
Springfield Karst Prairie Plain
Buffalo Prairie/Savanna Plain
Bolivar Prairie/Savanna Plain
Stockton Prairie/Savanna Dissected Plain
Weaubleau Prairie/Savanna 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. As additional information is collected, analyzed and reviewed, this ESD will be refined and published as “Approved”.
Chert Upland Prairies occur extensively on the rolling, weakly dissected hillslopes of the Springfield Plain, especially in the Spring River, Shoal Creek and Sac River watersheds and tributaries. Soils have low plant-available water due to high gravel contents, a fragipan rooting restriction, or both. The reference plant community is prairie dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indiangrass and a wide variety of prairie wildflowers.Associated sites
F116BY017MO Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodland
Gravelly/Loamy Upland Drainageway Woodlands are downslope.
R116BY020MO Claypan Summit Prairie
Claypan Summit Prairies are upslope, on nearly level interfluves.
R116BY022MO Loamy Upland Prairie
Loamy Upland Prairies are upslope, on convex summits and shoulders.
R116BY023MO Sandstone/Shale Upland Prairie
Sandstone/Shale Upland Prairies are upslope in places, on convex summits.
Similar sites
R116BY020MO Claypan Summit Prairie
Claypan Summit Prairies are upslope, on nearly level interfluves. These sites are seasonally wet. Composition is similar and the sites are often in close proximity.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Amorpha canescens
Herbaceous (1) Schizachyrium scoparium
(2) Andropogon gerardiiPhysiographic features
This site is on upland summit crests, shoulders and upper backslopes with slopes of 1 to 15 percent. The site generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites. This site does not flood.
The following figure (adapted from Kichler and Henderson, 1999) shows the typical landscape position of this ecological site, and landscape relationships with other ecological sites. It is within the area labeled “2” on the figure. The dashed lines within the area indicate the various soils included in this ecological site. Sandstone/Shale Upland Prairie sites, labeled “1”, are often upslope. In areas where summits are nearly level, Claypan Summit Prairie sites are upslope.
Figure 2. Landscape relationships for this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Ridge
(2) Interfluve
(3) Hill
Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Slope 1 – 15 % Water table depth 19 – 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 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) 190-200 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 50 in Frost-free period (actual range) 150-170 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 180-200 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) MT VERNON M U SW CTR [USC00235862], Mount Vernon, MO
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(2) STOCKTON DAM [USC00238082], Stockton, MO
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(3) JOPLIN REGIONAL AIRPORT [USW00013987], Webb City, MO
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(4) SPRINGFIELD [USW00013995], Springfield, MO
">Influencing water features
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 have low plant-available water due to high gravel contents, a fragipan rooting restriction, or both. The soils were formed under prairie vegetation, and have dark, organic-rich surface horizons. Parent material is slope alluvium over residuum derived primarily from cherty limestone. Some soils have loess surface layers. Surface horizon texture is silt loam, gravelly silt loam or very gravelly silt loam. Subsoils are loamy, clayey, or skeletal with high amounts of coarse fragments. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Bona, Creldon, Eldorado, Hoberg, and Keeno.
The accompanying picture of the Creldon series shows a dark, organic-rich silt loam surface horizon and brown silty clay loam subsoil, over a fragipan at about 27 inches. The fragipan is a barrier to roots. Chert fragments are abundant in the lower horizons. Scale is in feet. Picture from Aldrich and Meinert (1994).
Figure 9. Creldon series
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Slope alluvium – cherty limestone
(2) Loess
(3) Residuum – cherty limestone
Surface texture (1) Silt loam
(2) Gravelly silt loam
(3) Very gravelly silt loam
Family particle size (1) Clayey
Drainage class Moderately well drained to well drained Permeability class Moderately slow Depth to restrictive layer 18 – 27 in Soil depth 18 – 72 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 – 25 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % 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)4.5 – 6.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)15 – 50 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)5 – 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 only moderately productive and is characterized as open prairie with occasional widely scattered trees such as post oak. This site was dominated by native warm-season grasses including little bluestem, big bluestem, and Indiangrass. Combined, these grasses typically accounted for much of the vegetational production. Other occurring grasses were sideoats grama, prairie dropseed, and Canada wildrye. Scattered throughout were minor amounts of short-grasses consisting of Scribner's panicum and sedge. Leadplant and New Jersey tea were typical low growing shrubs that occurred over the site. Unlike most shrubs, these plants are both tolerant to fire. Islands of other shrubs such as dogwood, Jersey tea, coralberry and Carolina rose were also found on the site.
This vast expanse of grass frequently stretched for miles and was only interrupted by shallow drainages whose wetness lessened the influence of frequent, intense fires. With little to interrupt fire, this ecological site burned every 1 to 3 years. Fire removed dead plant litter and provided room for a lush growth of prairie vegetation. Fire also kept woody species at bay. The partially wooded draws would have burned less intensely and less frequently. During fire free intervals woody species would have increased in abundance, spread out onto the prairie and expanded the savanna component.
Grazing by native large herbivores, such as bison, elk, and white-tailed deer, also impacted these sites. Their activities would have altered composition and structure of the vegetation. Fuel loads would have been altered by heavy grazing and fire behavior affected, providing for a diversity of structure and composition.
Today, reference Chert Upland Prairie is rare and scattered in the region, as the former prairies have been converted to pasture and cropland. The known remnants are mostly degraded by fire suppression and unmanaged grazing by domestic livestock. However, when managed properly, existing remnants will respond to restoration efforts. A few isolated remnants still exist and reflect original reference state composition and structure.
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 Model 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 2 (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
ReferenceThis State is native prairie dominated by little bluestem, big bluestem, and forbs, along with numerous shrubs and occasional, widely scattered, stunted trees such as post oak and blackjack oak. Two phases can occur that will transition back and forth depending on fire frequencies. Longer fire free intervals will allow woody species to increase such as post oak and eastern redcedar. When fire intervals shorten these woody species will decrease.
This undisturbed State is uncommon but some excellent examples still exist. Most sites, however, have been converted to cool season grasslands, cropland, or degraded by domestic grazing.
Community 1.1
Leadplant/Little Bluestem - Big Bluestem
Figure 11. Shelton L. Cook Meadow (The Nature Conservancy), Barton County, Missouri (Photo credit - MDC)
Forest overstory.Occasional, widely scattered, stunted trees such as post oak and blackjack oak are present.
Forest understory. Rich prairie grass and forb composition with a diverse mixture of shrubs. The following "Understory plant type" list is based on reconnaissance-level plots, inventory plots, as well as commonly occurring species listed in Nelson (2010). Species identified from plot data include cover percentages and canopy heights. Note that plot data for canopy heights are by height class, not actual species heights. Species not found in plots, but listed in Nelson, include only cover data.
Table 5. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 0-30% Forb foliar cover 0-30% Non-vascular plants 0% Biological crusts 0% Litter 0-100% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0-30% Surface fragments >3" 0-0% Bedrock 0% Water 0% Bare ground 0.1-25.0% Table 6. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 0% 0-25% 25-75% 10-50% >0.5 <= 1 0% 0-25% 25-75% 10-50% >1 <= 2 0% 0-25% 2-50% 1-50% >2 <= 4.5 0% 0-1% 0-25% 0-10% >4.5 <= 13 – – – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Community 1.2
Post Oak/Little Bluestem – Big Bluestem
Figure 12. Woody invasion beginning to occur on a native chert prairie in Barton County, Missouri. Photo credit - MDC.
Pathway P1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Leadplant/Little Bluestem - Big Bluestem
Post Oak/Little Bluestem – Big BluestemFire-free interval 5-10 years
Pathway P1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Post Oak/Little Bluestem – Big Bluestem
Leadplant/Little Bluestem - Big BluestemFire interval 1-3 years
State 2
Degraded Native GrasslandReference States that have experienced fire suppression for 20 or more years and heavy domestic grazing will transition to this state. With fire suppression, woody species such as post oak and eastern redcedar will begin to increase transitioning this state from a prairie to a woody invaded state. Native ground cover will also decrease and invasive species such as tall fescue and sericea lespedeza may begin to dominate. Transition to cool season grasslands (State 3) or cropland (State 4) is very common.
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
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Feed and forage imbalance
Community 2.1
Post Oak-Eastern Redcedar/Oak Sprouts/Little Bluestem
Figure 13. Cook Meadow - Degraded Native Grassland
State 3
Cool Season GrasslandConversion of other states to non-native cool season species such as tall fescue and red clover has been common in this area. Occasionally, these pastures will have a few scattered post oak and eastern redcedar. Long term uncontrolled grazing can cause significant soil erosion and compaction. A return to the reference state may require a very long series of management options.
Dominant resource concerns
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Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 3.1
Tall Fescue - Red Clover
Figure 14. Converted cool season grassland in Barton County, Missouri. Photo credit NRCS.
State 4
CroplandThis is a common state that currently exists in the region with milo, wheat, and hay land production occurring. Some conversion to cool season grassland occurs for a limited period of time before transitioning back to cropland. Limited acres are sometimes converted to native warm season grassland.
Dominant resource concerns
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Sheet and rill erosion
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Ephemeral gully erosion
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Plant pest pressure
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Community 4.1
Wheat, Milo, Hayland
Figure 15. Cropland
State 5
Native Warm Season GrasslandConversion from Degraded Native Grassland (State 2) Cool Season Grassland (State 3) or the Cropland (State 4) to this State is increasing due to renewed interest in warm season grasses as a supplement to cool season grazing systems or as a native restoration activity. This State, once established, is the most easily transformable state back to a Reference State. Substantial restoration time and management inputs will be needed.
Community 5.1
Little Bluestem-Broomsedge-Indiangrass
Figure 16. Native Warm Season Grassland
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Fire suppression > 10 years; woody invasion; domestic grazing
Transition T1B
State 1 to 3Tillage; vegetative seeding; grassland management
Transition T1C
State 1 to 4Tillage; conservation cropping system
Transition T1D
State 1 to 5Prescribed grazing; prescribed fire
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Woody removal; prescribed fire 1-3 years; limited grazing
Transition T2B
State 2 to 4Woody removal; tillage; conservation cropping system
Transition T2C
State 2 to 5Woody removal; grassland management; prescribed fire
Transition T3A
State 3 to 4Tillage; conservation cropping system
Transition T3B
State 3 to 5Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
Restoration pathway T4A
State 4 to 3Vegetative seeding ; grassland management
Transition T4B
State 4 to 5Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire; grassland management
Restoration pathway R5A
State 5 to 1Vegetative seeding; prescribed fire 1-3 years; limited grazing
Transition T5A
State 5 to 4Tillage; conservation cropping system
Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 1.1 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 – 0-2 – 0 post oak QUST Quercus stellata Native – 0-2 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 0-2 – 0 Table 9. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)prairie dropseed SPHE Sporobolus heterolepis Native 0.3–2 0.1–75 big bluestem ANGE Andropogon gerardii Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–50 little bluestem SCSC Schizachyrium scoparium Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–50 cypress panicgrass DIDI6 Dichanthelium dichotomum Native 0.3–1 10–25 switchgrass PAVI2 Panicum virgatum Native 0.3–2 2–25 Scribner's rosette grass DIOLS Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum Native – 10–20 sideoats grama BOCU Bouteloua curtipendula Native – 10–20 Canada wildrye ELCA4 Elymus canadensis Native – 10–20 Mead's sedge CAME2 Carex meadii Native – 10–20 Heller's rosette grass DIOL Dichanthelium oligosanthes Native 0.3–1 0.1–10 Indiangrass SONU2 Sorghastrum nutans Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 lovegrass ERAGR Eragrostis Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 panicgrass PANIC Panicum Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 German knotgrass SCLER Scleranthus Introduced 0.3–1 0.1–1 whip nutrush SCTR Scleria triglomerata Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 marsh bristlegrass SEPA10 Setaria parviflora Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 composite dropseed SPCO16 Sporobolus compositus Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–1 purpletop tridens TRFL2 Tridens flavus Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–1 purple lovegrass ERSP Eragrostis spectabilis Native 0.3–0.5 0.1–1 prairie Junegrass KOMA Koeleria macrantha Native 0.3–0.5 0.1 Virginia wildrye ELVI3 Elymus virginicus Native 0.3–4.5 0.1 slimspike threeawn ARLO16 Aristida longespica Native 0.3–1 0.1 Forb/HerbMissouri goldenrod SOMI2 Solidago missouriensis Native 0.3–2 1–50 slender lespedeza LEVI7 Lespedeza virginica Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–25 Curtis' star-grass HYCU5 Hypoxis curtissii Native – 5–20 compassplant SILA3 Silphium laciniatum Native – 5–20 smooth violet prairie aster SYTU2 Symphyotrichum turbinellum Native – 5–20 hoary puccoon LICA12 Lithospermum canescens Native – 5–20 hairy sunflower HEHI2 Helianthus hirsutus Native – 5–20 Ozark milkvetch ASDI4 Astragalus distortus Native – 5–20 widowsfrill SIST Silene stellata Native – 5–20 butterfly milkweed ASTU Asclepias tuberosa Native – 5–20 slimflower scurfpea PSTE5 Psoralidium tenuiflorum Native – 5–20 Virginia tephrosia TEVI Tephrosia virginiana Native 0.3–1 0.1–10 western rough goldenrod SORA Solidago radula Native 0.3–2 0.1–5 Texas goldentop EUGY Euthamia gymnospermoides Native 0.3–2 0.1–5 Arkansas ironweed VEAR3 Vernonia arkansana Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–5 ashy sunflower HEMO2 Helianthus mollis Native 0.3–2 2–5 foxtail amaranth AMCA3 Amaranthus caudatus Introduced 0.3–1 1–2 bastard toadflax COUM Comandra umbellata Native 0.3–0.5 0.1–2 manyray aster SYAN2 Symphyotrichum anomalum Native 0.3–2 1–2 white heath aster SYER Symphyotrichum ericoides Native 0.3–2 0.1–2 late purple aster SYPA11 Symphyotrichum patens Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 purple prairie clover DAPU5 Dalea purpurea Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 skyblue aster SYOO Symphyotrichum oolentangiense Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 prairie blazing star LIPY Liatris pycnostachya Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–1 violet woodsorrel OXVI Oxalis violacea Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 blackeyed Susan RUHI2 Rudbeckia hirta Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 fringeleaf wild petunia RUHU Ruellia humilis Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 white wild indigo BAAL Baptisia alba Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 longbract wild indigo BABR2 Baptisia bracteata Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 button eryngo ERYU Eryngium yuccifolium Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 tall thoroughwort EUAL3 Eupatorium altissimum Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 flowering spurge EUCO10 Euphorbia corollata Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 sidebeak pencilflower STBI2 Stylosanthes biflora Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 narrowleaf mountainmint PYTE Pycnanthemum tenuifolium Native 0.3–1 0.1–1 azure blue sage SAAZ Salvia azurea Native 0.3–2 0.1–1 stiff tickseed COPA10 Coreopsis palmata Native 0.3–1 0.1 pale purple coneflower ECPA Echinacea pallida Native 0.3–0.5 0.1 common yarrow ACMI2 Achillea millefolium Native 0.3–0.5 0.1 roundstem false foxglove AGGA Agalinis gattingeri Native 0.3–1 0.1 golden zizia ZIAU Zizia aurea Native 0.3–2 0.1 small geranium GEPU2 Geranium pusillum Native 0.3–0.5 0.1 downy gentian GEPU5 Gentiana puberulenta Native 0.3–2 0.1 hairy hawkweed HILO2 Hieracium longipilum Native 0.3–0.5 0.1 tall blazing star LIAS Liatris aspera Native 0.3–2 0.1 Texas bergia BETE Bergia texana Native 0.3–1 0.1 prairie tea CRMO6 Croton monanthogynus Native 0.3–1 0.1 sessileleaf ticktrefoil DESE Desmodium sessilifolium Native 0.3–2 0.1 downy phlox PHPI Phlox pilosa Native 0.3–1 0.1 white prairie clover DACA7 Dalea candida Native 0.3–1 0.1 Shrub/SubshrubNew Jersey tea CEAM Ceanothus americanus Native 0.3–2 5–10 Jersey tea CEHE Ceanothus herbaceus Native – 5–10 fragrant sumac RHAR4 Rhus aromatica Native – 5–10 winged sumac RHCO Rhus copallinum Native 0.3–1 1–2 Carolina rose ROCA4 Rosa carolina Native 0.3–1 1–2 northern dewberry RUFL Rubus flagellaris Native 0.3–1 0.1–2 leadplant AMCA6 Amorpha canescens Native 0.3–4.5 0.1–2 Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. 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 – 0-5 – 0 blackjack oak QUMA3 Quercus marilandica Native – 0-5 – 0 black hickory CATE9 Carya texana Native – 0-5 – 0 Table 12. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 13. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 5.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
Wildlife:
Game species that utilize this ecological site include: Northern Bobwhite will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, insects) and cover needs (escape, nesting and roosting cover).
Cottontail rabbits will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, soft mast) and cover needs.
Turkey will utilize this ecological site for food (seeds, green browse, soft mast, and insects) and nesting and brood-rearing cover. Turkey poults feed heavily on insects provided by this site type.
White-tailed Deer will utilize this ecological site for browse (plant leaves in the growing season, seeds and soft mast in the fall/winter).
Bird species associated with this ecological site reference state condition:
Breeding birds as related to vegetation structure (related to time since fire, grazing, haying, and mowing):
Vegetation Height Short (< 1.5 feet, low litter levels, bare ground visible):
Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite
Vegetation Height Moderate (1.5 – 3 feet, moderate litter levels, some bare ground visible): Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Upland Sandpiper, Greater Prairie Chicken, Northern Bobwhite, Blue Grosbeak, Scissor-Tailed Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Lark Sparrow
Tall Vegetation Height (> 3 feet, moderate-high litter levels, little bare ground visible):
Henslow’s Sparrow, Dickcissel, Greater Prairie Chicken, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Sedge Wren, Northern Harrier
Brushy – Mix of grasses, forbs, native shrubs (e.g., Rhus copallina, Prunus americana), native vines (Rubus spp., Rosa carolina) and small trees (e.g., Cornus racemosa):
Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Loggerhead Shrike, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat
Winter Resident: Short-Eared Owl, Northern Harrier, Le Conte’s Sparrow, Savannah Sparrow
Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site reference state condition: Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata ornata), Western Slender Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus attenuatus), Prairie Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus arnyi), Prairie Kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster calligaster), Great Plains Skink (Eumeces obsoletus), Southern Prairie Skink (E. septentrionalis obtusirostris), and Bullsnake (Pituophis catenifer sayi).
Small mammals associated with this ecological site reference state condition:
Least Shrew (Cryptotis parva), Prairie Vole (Microtus ochrogaster), Plains Pocket Gopher (Geomys bursarius), Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius), and Badger (Taxidea taxus).
Many native insect species are likely associated with this ecological site, especially native bees, ants, beetles, butterflies and moths, and crickets, grasshoppers and katydids. However information on these groups is often lacking enough resolution to assign them to individual ecological sites.
Insect species known to be associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: Regal Fritillary butterfly (Speyeria idalia) whose larvae feed primarily on native prairie violets (Viola pedata, V. pedatifida, and V. sagittata); Mottled Dusky Wing butterfly (Erynnis martialis), Ottoe Skipper butterfly (Hesperia ottoe), Arogos Skipper butterfly (Atrytone arogos iowa), Golden Byssus butterfly (Problema byssus kumskaka), Delaware Skipper butterfly (Atryone logan logan), and Crossline Skipper butterfly (Polites origenes). The larvae of the moth Eucosma bipunctella bore into compass plant (Silphium laciniatum) roots and feed and the larvae of the moth Eucosma giganteana bore into a number of Silphium species roots and feed. Native bees, important pollinators, that may be associated with this ecological site’s reference condition include: Colletes brevicornis, Andrena beameri, A. helianthiformis, Protandrena rudbeckiae, Halictus parallelus, Lasioglossum albipennis, L. coreopsis, L. disparilis, L. nymphaereum, Ashmeadiella bucconis, Megachile addenda, Anthidium psoraleae, Eucera hamata, Melissodes coloradensis, M. coreopsis, and M. vernoniae. The Short-winged Katydid (Amblycorypha parvipennis), Prairie Mole Cricket (Gryllotalpa major), Green Grasshopper (Hesperotettix speciosus) and Two-voiced Conehead katydid (Neoconcephalus bivocatus) are possible orthopteran associates of this ecological site. A number of leaf beetle species (Anisostena funesta, Chaetocnema fuscata and Crytocephalus striatulus) may utilize this ecological site.
(This section prepared by Mike Leahy, Natural Areas Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2013. References for this section: Fitzgerald and Pashley 2000b; Heitzman and Heitzman 1996; Jacobs 2001; Johnson 2000; Pitts and McGuire 2000; Schwartz and others 2001)Other information
Forestry
Management: This ecological site is not recommended for traditional timber management activity. Historically this site was dominated by a ground cover of native prairie grasses and forbs. Some scattered open grown trees may have also been present. Altered sites may be suitable for non-traditional forestry uses such as windbreaks, environmental plantings, alley cropping (a method of planting, in which rows of trees or shrubs are interspersed with rows of crops) or woody bio-fuels.Supporting information
Inventory data references
Potential Reference Sites: Chert Upland Prairie Plot GOPRPF01 – Eldorado soil Located in Golden Prairie MPF, Barton County, MO Latitude: 37.35556 Longitude: 94.15388 Plot COMENC01 – Eldorado soil Located in Cook Meadow TNC, Barton County, MO Latitude: 37.41820 Longitude: 94.13328 Plot WOPROR02 – Hoberg soil Located in Woods Prairie ORLT, Lawrence County, MO Latitude: 37.09189 Longitude: 93.72943 Plot DIGRCA07 – Keeno soil Located in Diamond Grove CA, Newton County, MO Latitude: 37.01483 Longitude: 94.37578 Plot GOPRPF03 – Creldon soil Located in Golden Prairie MPF, Barton County, MO Latitude: 37.356956 Longitude: -94.151875 Plot WOPROR01 – Keeno soil Located in Woods Prairie ORLT, Lawrence County, MO Latitude: 37.0924 Longitude: -93.729464
Type locality
Location 1: Barton County, MO Township/Range/Section T30N R29W S8 UTM zone N UTM northing 4134941 UTM easting 397810 Latitude 37° 21′ 20″ Longitude 94° 9′ 13″ General legal description Plot GOPRPF01; located in Golden Prairie (Missouri Prairie Foundation); pedon Eldorado/Eldon similar soil. Location 2: Barton County, MO Township/Range/Section T31N R29W S21 UTM zone N UTM northing 4141870 UTM easting 399717 Latitude 37° 25′ 5″ Longitude 94° 7′ 59″ General legal description Plot COMENC01; Located in Cook Meadow (The Nature Conservancy); Keeno pedon. Location 3: Lawrence County, MO Township/Range/Section T28N R26W S36 UTM zone N UTM northing 4105315 UTM easting 435176 Latitude 37° 5′ 30″ Longitude 93° 43′ 45″ General legal description Plot WOPROR02; Located in Woods Prairie (Ozark Regional Land Trust); Hoberg pedon. Location 4: Newton County, MO Township/Range/Section T27N R31W S31 UTM zone N UTM northing 4096919 UTM easting 378198 Latitude 37° 0′ 53″ Longitude 94° 22′ 32″ General legal description Plot DIGRCA07; Located in Diamond Grove Conservation Area (Missouri Dept of Conservation); Keeno pedon. 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.
Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000a. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Ozark/Ouachitas. American Bird Conservancy.
Fitzgerald, J.A. and D.N. Pashley. 2000b. Partners in Flight bird conservation plan for the Dissected Till Plains. American Bird Conservancy.
Heitzman, J.R. and J.E. Heitzman. 1996. Butterflies and moths of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Jacobs, B. 2001. Birds in Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Johnson, T.R. 2000. The amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. 2nd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Kichler, L. E., and R. L. Henderson. 1999. Soil Survey of Polk County, Missouri. U.S. Dept. of Agric. Natural Resources Conservation Service.
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.
Pitts, D.E. and W.D. McGuire. 2000. Wildlife management for Missouri landowners. 3rd ed. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
Schwartz, C.W., E.R. Schwartz and J.J. Conley. 2001. The wild mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press, Columbia and Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
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, 10/07/2020
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 07/14/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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