CERC Science Topic: Ozark Highlands

CERC is active with several research studies in the Ozark Highlands, a unique ecoregion that reaches into Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.
The Ozark Highlands is home to many endemic terrestrial and aquatic species, not only important ecologically, but is a strong economic base for many communities. These highlands are one of the most biologically diverse landscapes on earth. Forests, glades, prairies, streams, caves, springs and fens that hold habitats and species found nowhere else on the planet. CERC recognizes this ecoregion as a critical natural resource and works with partners to provide needed information and strategies for the management of this valued area. Woodland crayfish (juvenile)

Ozarks Partnership web http://ozarks.cr.usgs.gov/

CERC Research in the Ozarks (fact sheet)

The Promise Continues (You Tube)
"Much of the beauty and biological diversity of the Missouri Ozarks is a direct result of cutting-edge conservation efforts by the Missouri Department of Conservation, which is celebrating its 75th year in 2012. View this short film documentary for an historic perspective, featuring many Ozark successes."

Research Studies

Publications

Changes to oak woodland stand structure and ground flora composition caused by thinning and burning (91993)

Kinkead, C.O., Kabrick, J.M., Stambaugh, M.C., and Grabner, K.W., 2013, Changes to oak woodland stand structure and ground flora composition caused by thinning and burning, in: Miller, G.W., Schuler, T.M., Gottschalk, K.W., Brooks, J.R., Grushecky, S.T., Spong, B.D., and Rentch, J.S., eds., Proceedings, 18th Central Hardwood Forest Conference; 2012 March 26-28; Morgantown, WV, Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-117: Newtown Square, PA, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station, p. 373-383, (91993)
Mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification in Ozark stream ecosystems (91717)

Schmitt, C.J., Stricker, C.A., and Brumbaugh, W.G., 2011, Mercury bioaccumulation and biomagnification in Ozark stream ecosystems, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 70(8): 2215-2224, (91717)
CERC Research in the Ozarks

CERC, Research in the Ozarks
A macroinvertebrate assessment of Ozark streams located in lead–zinc mining areas of the Viburnum Trend in southeastern Missouri, USA (91685)

Poulton, B.C., Allert, A.L., Besser, J.M., Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.B. and Fairchild, J.F., 2010, A macroinvertebrate assessment of Ozark streams located in lead–zinc mining areas of the Viburnum Trend in southeastern Missouri, USA , Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 163(1-4): 619-641, (91685)
Ecological effects of lead mining on Ozark streams: In-situ toxicity to woodland crayfish (Orconectes hylas) (91614)

Allert, A.L., Fairchild, J.F., DiStefano, R.J., Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G. and Besser, J.M. , 2009, Ecological effects of lead mining on Ozark streams: In-situ toxicity to woodland crayfish (Orconectes hylas), Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 72(4): 1207-1219, (91614)
Effects of mining-derived metals on riffle-dwelling benthic fishes in Southeast Missouri, USA (91663)
Ecological impacts of lead mining on Ozark streams: Toxicity of sediment and pore water (91430)

Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G., Allert, A.L., Schmitt, C.J. and Ingersoll, C.G., 2009, Ecological impacts of lead mining on Ozark streams: Toxicity of sediment and pore water, Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 72(2): 516-526, (91430)
Exotic plant species associations with horse trails, old roads, and intact native communities in the Missouri Ozarks (91587)

Stroh, E.D., and Struckoff, M.A., 2009, Exotic plant species associations with horse trails, old roads, and intact native communities in the Missouri Ozarks, Natural Areas Journal 29(1): 50-56, (91587)
Mapping vegetation communities using statistical data fusion in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, USA (91556)

Chastain, R.A., Struckoff, M.A., He,H., and Larsen, D.R., 2008, Mapping vegetation communities using statistical data fusion in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, USA, Photogrammetric Engineering & Remote Sensing 74(2): 247-264, (91556)
Biomonitoring of lead, zinc, and cadmium in streams draining lead-mining and non-mining areas, Southeast Missouri, USA (91538)

Besser, J.M., Brumbaugh, W.G., May, T.W., and Schmitt, C.J., 2007, Biomonitoring of lead, zinc, and cadmium in streams draining lead-mining and non-mining areas, Southeast Missouri, USA, Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 129 (2008): 277-241, (91538)
Sensitivity of mottled sculpins (Cottus Bairdi) and rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus Mykiss) to acute and chronic toxicity of cadmium, copper, and zinc (91542)

Besser, J.M., Mebane, C.A., Mount, D.R., Ivey, C.D., Kunz, J.L., Greer, I.E., May, T.W. and Ingersoll, C.G., 2007. Sensitivity of mottled sculpins (Cottus Bairdi) and rainbow trout (Onchorhynchus Mykiss) to acute and chronic toxicity of cadmium, copper, and zinc. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, 26(8): 1657-1665.
Contaminant Sensitivity of Freshwater Mussels

CERC, 2007, Contaminant Sensitivity of Freshwater Mussels
Concentrations of metals in aquatic invertebrates from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri (91544)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G., Besser, J.M., and May, T.W., 2007, Concentrations of metals in aquatic invertebrates from the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, Missouri, U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2007-1435, 23 p. with appendixes, (91544)
Mapping vegetation communities in Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Final technical report to the National Park Service (91480)

Chastain, R.A., Struckoff, M.A., Grabner, K.W., Stroh, E.D., He, H., Larsen, D.R., Nigh, T.A., and Drake, J., 2006, Mapping vegetation communities in Ozark National Scenic Riverways: Final technical report to the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, 2006-1354, [various pagings], (91480)
A screening-level assessment of lead, cadmium, and zinc in fish and crayfish from Northeastern Oklahoma, USA (91451)

Schmitt, C.J., Brumbaugh, W.G., Linder, G.L., and Hinck, J.E., 2006, A screening-level assessment of lead, cadmium, and zinc in fish and crayfish from Northeastern Oklahoma, USA, Environmental Geochemistry and Health 28(5): 445-471, (91451)
Physical aquatic habitat assessment data, Ozark Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas (91331)

Jacobson, R.B., Johnson, H.E., Reuter, J.M., and Wright, M.P., 2003, Physical aquatic habitat assessment data, Ozark Plateaus, Missouri and Arkansas, U.S. Geological Survey Data Series Report DS-94, [unpaged], (91331)
Physical stream habitat dynamics in Lower Bear Creek, northern Arkansas (91274)
Relations among geology, physiogeography, land use and stream habitat conditions in the Buffalo and Current River Systems, Missouri and Arkansas (91162)
Hydraulic modeling of in-channel habitats in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri: Assessment of physical habitat sensitivity to environmental change (91220)

Panfil, M.S., and Jacobson, R.B., 2000, Hydraulic modeling of in-channel habitats in the Ozark Highlands of Missouri: Assessment of physical habitat sensitivity to environmental change, U.S. Geological Survey, Columbia Environmental Research Center website at http://www.cerc.usgs.gov/rss/rfmodel/, (91220)
Gravel sediment routing from widespread, low-intensity landscape disturbance, Current River Basin, Missouri (91005)

Jacobson, R.B., and Gran, K.B., 1999, Gravel sediment routing from widespread, low-intensity landscape disturbance, Current River Basin, Missouri, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 24(10): 897-917, (91005)
Historical land-use changes and potential effects on stream disturbance in the Ozark Plateaus, Missouri (91661)

Jacobson, R.B., and Primm, A.T., 1997, Historical land-use changes and potential effects on stream disturbance in the Ozark Plateaus, Missouri, U.S. Geological Survey Water Supply Paper 2484, 85 p., (91661)

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