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Ecological site R131AY014MO

Sand Terrace Savanna

Accessed: 09/13/2026

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General information

Draft. A draft ecological site description is either incomplete or has not undergone quality control and quality assurance review.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 131A–Southern Mississippi River Alluvium

The Southern Mississippi River Alluvium (outlined in red on the map; northern portion only) is a vast alluvial plain, stretching from the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to tidewater areas of the Gulf of Mexico. The area is formed primarily in sediments deposited by the Mississippi River, with significant contributions from the St Francis and Black Rivers west of Crowley’s Ridge, in the northern part of the area. A variety of alluvial landforms are present, including natural levees, sand splays, backswamps, channels, swales, stream terraces and braided terraces. Dunes have formed from wind redistribution of alluvial sands, and loess deposits overlie older terraces to the west. Elevation ranges from about 330 feet in the north to sea level in the south. Local relief is low, and much of the area appears flat, although low escarpments and other slight changes in elevation often indicate major changes in hydrology and soils.

Classification relationships

Terrestrial Natural Community Type in Missouri (Nelson, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Sand Savanna.

National Vegetation Classification System Vegetation Association (NatureServe, 2010):
The reference state for this ecological site is most similar to a Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Quercus falcata / Schizachyrium scoparium Sand Woodland (CEGL002417).

Geographic relationship to the Missouri Ecological Classification System (Nigh & Schroeder, 2002):
This Ecological Site occurs in various Land Type Associations primarily within the following Subsections:
Mississippi River Alluvial Plain
St. Francis River Alluvial Plain

Ecological site concept

Sand Terrace Savannas are within the green areas on the map (Missouri portion only; distributions farther south are currently under review). These sites are extensive east of Crowley’s Ridge, and are generally associated with the Braided Terrace and Sand Terrace Woodland ecological sites. Soils are very deep and sandy. The reference plant community is savanna with scattered blackjack oak, post oak, and sand hickory, and a ground flora of prairie grasses and wildflowers.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Quercus marilandica
Shrub	Not specified
Herbaceous	(1) Andropogon ternarius (2) Froelichia floridana

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Physiographic features

These sites are on braided stream terraces and floodplains, with slopes generally less than 5 percent, but ranging up to 15 percent. A few areas not protected by levees are subject to flooding.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Stream terrace
Flooding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours)
Flooding frequency	None to rare
Ponding frequency	None
Slope	0 – 15 %
Water table depth	24 – 72 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Soil features

These soils are very deep and sandy throughout, with low plant-available water capacity. The soils were formed under a mixture of woodland and prairie vegetation, but are generally low in organic matter. Parent material is alluvium. They have loamy sand to sand surface layers, with sandy subsurface layers. These soils are not affected by seasonal wetness. Soil series associated with this site include Broseley, Clana, Malden, Scotco, and Silverdale.

The accompanying picture of the Scotco series shows a dark sand surface layer about 35 cm thick over a yellowish brown, sandy subsoil. The substratum below about 120 cm in this picture is weakly stratified sand. Picture courtesy of Kevin Godsey and Dan Childress; scale is in centimeters.

Figure 1. Scotco series

Table 3. Representative soil features

Surface texture	(1) Loamy fine sand (2) Fine sand (3) Sand
Family particle size	(1) Sandy
Drainage class	Moderately well drained to excessively drained
Permeability class	Moderate to rapid
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	3 – 4 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)	5.1 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified)	Not specified

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.

Sand Terrace Savannas occur on large sand terraces that are slightly elevated above the surrounding lowlands. The elevated position and coarse textured, excessively drained sands limit the growth of trees and supports a grassland community with numerous unique species. Plant species must be adapted to survive in nutrient-deficient, easily eroding or shifting, droughty soils. Blowout areas occur in a nearly pure sand substrate. Many of these sites are closely associated or intergrade with sand woodlands and swales. These areas rarely flood.

In addition to drought, fire played a role in keeping woody species at bay, likely occurring at least once every 3 to 5 years. Fire restricts the dominance of trees and removes the dense mat of leaf litter creating opportunities for plants less aggressive than the grasses and sedges. During fire free intervals woody species would have increased, only to be checked with the return of fire. Sand Terrace Savannas were furthermore subjected to grazing by native large herbivores. Grazing by large native herbivores, such as bison and elk, would have effectively kept understory conditions open, creating conditions more favorable to ground flora species and minimizing woody trees and shrubs.

Today most of these ecological sites have been converted to intensive agriculture. Only a few quality remnants exist. Their position and soil properties still make them good candidates for sand prairie and savanna development and management.

State and transition model

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Animal community

Wildlife*
Prairie Phase:
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). This site type also can provide escape cover.

Bird species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition:
Breeding birds as related to vegetation structure (related to time since fire, grazing, haying, and mowing):

Vegetation Height Short (< 0.5 meter, low litter levels, bare ground visible):
Grasshopper Sparrow, Horned Lark, Northern Bobwhite

Mid-Vegetation Height (0.5 – 1 meter, moderate litter levels, some bare ground visible):
Eastern Meadowlark, Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Kingbird

Tall Vegetation Height (> 1 meter, moderate-high litter levels, little bare ground visible):
Dickcissel, Field Sparrow, Northern Bobwhite

Brushy – Mix of grasses, forbs, native shrubs (e.g., Rhus copallina, Prunus americana, Rubus spp., Rosa carolina) and small trees (e.g., Cornus racemosa): Bell’s Vireo, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Loggerhead Shrike, Brown Thrasher, Common Yellowthroat

Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus), northern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus), northern scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea copei), and Dusty Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon gloydi). Wet swales and marshes embedded within the sand prairies provide habitat for the Illinois chorus frog (Pseudacris streckeri illinoisensis) and the Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii).

Invertebrates: Big Sand Tiger Beetle (Cicendela formosa), Smooth Tiger Beetle (Cicendela scutellaris), Sand Grasshopper (Psinidia fenestralis), and native bees (Dialictus viericki, D. pilosus, Perdita georgica).

Many native insect species are likely associated with this ecological site, especially native bees, ants, tiger beetles, butterflies and moths, and crickets, grasshoppers and katydids. However information on these groups is lacking enough resolution to assign them to individual ecological sites.

Savanna Phase:
Oaks and hickories provide an important food source for many animals including White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey, and Fox Squirrel.

Both snags and live cavity or den trees provide important food and cover for vertebrate wildlife. Snags are also very important to invertebrate species. Fox Squirrel, Red-headed Woodpecker and Eastern Bluebird utilize snags and den trees for foraging, nesting or shelter. “Wolf” trees are a particularly valuable type of live cavity tree. These large diameter, often open-grown, old-ages, hollow trees provide both cavities for wildlife and usually hard or soft mast food sources. Large diameter snags and den trees are particularly important wildlife habitat features to retain.

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). This site type also can provide escape cover.

Bird species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition:
Breeding birds: Northern Bobwhite, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Bluebird, Brown Thrasher, White-eyed Vireo, Prairie Warbler, Field Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, Red-headed Woodpecker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike

Amphibian and reptile species associated with this ecological site’s reference state condition: Six-lined Racerunner (Cnemidophorus sexlineatus), northern fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus), northern scarletsnake (Cemophora coccinea copei), and Dusty Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon gloydi).

Invertebrates – Many native insect species are likely associated with this phase of this ecological site’s reference state condition, especially native bees, ants, beetles, butterflies and moths, and crickets, grasshoppers and katydids. However we don’t have enough information on these groups to assign them to this phase of this ecological site’s reference state condition at this time.

*This section prepared by Mike Leahy, Natural Areas Coordinator, Missouri Department of Conservation, 2013

Other information

Forestry
Management: This ecological site is not recommended for traditional timber management activity.

Supporting information

Other references

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.

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

Nelson, Paul W. 2010. The Terrestrial Natural Communities of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, Missouri.

Nigh, Timothy A., & 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.

Contributors

Fred Young
Doug Wallace

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
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:

Download reference sheet

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