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• HOME • GENERAL STORE • NATURAL HERITAGE • HISTORY, CULTURE & CRAFTSMANSHIP |
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Natural Heritage
• Hills & Hollows |
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| Hills & Hollows Index • Rocky Falls • Breadtray Mountain • Ice Roses • Ozark Glades Natural Heritage Index • Fishing • Hunting • Camping • Conservation • Hills & Hollows • Rivers & Lakes • Springs • Caves • Rocks & Fossils • Trees & Shrubs • Plants & Herbs • Hill Critters • Flyin' Critters • Water Critters • Snakes & Such • Forgotten Critters |
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[Many parts of the Ozarks have] the geologic history necessary for glades to form.
Limestone bedrock was formed under shallow seas, then gradually uplifted. Streams eroded deeper and deeper into the limestone, shaping valleys with steep rock slopes.
This provides the foundation on which a glade develops.
A glade is a special habitat — open, rocky and usually very dry. Its shallow soils and bare rocks discourage the growth of trees, exposing the glade to climatic extremes year-round.
Unusual plants and animals, adapted to these harsh conditions, live here and help make the glades unique.
Glade soils are thin because they erode nearly as fast as they form. Generally, glades occur on south- and west-facing slopes where the hot, dry conditions slow natural soil building processes.
Rain runs down the steep, rocky slopes and few plants are available to hold the soil.
The resulting erosion leaves thin, droughty soils where only specialized plants and animals can survive.
Information courtesy of the Henning State Forest, Missouri Department of Conservation
October 18, 2008