Wildlife Habitat Appraisal Guide for Missouri

Areas planted to small grains and row crops including fields with legumes or grass in the rotation as well as cropfields occasionally left idle in some years.

All pasture and hayfields including native prairie used for both forage and hay.

Idle, overgrown agricultural land abandoned for at least two years but with less than 10 percent canopy coverage of overstory trees.

Upland and bottomland forests or idle areas over grown with trees having canopy greater than 10 percent and at least 100 feet wide. Fence rows and woody draws are not classified as woodland but are included as features in the cropland, pasture/hayland or old field habitat types.

This type includes marshes; potholes; sloughs; low, wet grassy areas; and shallow waterlogged depressions. Vegetation can consist of smartweeds, Reed canary grass, sedges, cattails and/or shrubs such as buttonbrush or willow. These wetlands may have permanent water lasting all year or semi-permanent water lasting a portion of the growing season.

Wood swamps, forested bottomlands and tree lined oxbows characterize this type. Dominant trees may include silver maple, elm, sycamore, ash, pin oak, tupelo gum or cypress.

Edge is defined as the perimeter of the field, woodland or wetland being evaluated. The edge characteristic is divided into two components. First, the edge must be evaluated as straight or irregular and second, a determination must be made on the extent of a border. All evaluation sites will have either a straight of irregular edge but not all sites will have a border around the perimeter of the field being evaluated.

Irregular refers to the degree that the edge deviates from a straight line. Example: A cropfield with woody draws or a woodland with a pronounced irregular edge with a pasture. Score as irregular if the field is less than 20 acres in size with one side irregular or greater than 20 acres with two sides irregular. Border refers to woody (brush, windbreaks, hedgerows, etc.) or herbaceous (weeds, grasses, etc.) strips of vegetation between habitat types. The strips must be a minimum of 5 feet in width to be counted as a border. Extent--estimate the percent of the appraisal field surrounded by a woody or herbaceous border at least 5 feet wide. One side--25 percent; two sides--50 percent, etc. If > 50 percent of the canopy coverage of herbaceous plants in the border is fescue, then score category 6 to 1 point.

Only edge configuration, either straight or irregular, is scored in the old field habitat type. Determining the extent of a border in a brushy field is difficult and cannot be consistently estimated.

Estimate the percent of the field or woodland area that is covered by winter or escape cover. Some examples are very dense brushy areas, rock piles, brush piles, rocky crevices, fallen logs, dense conifer areas, etc. Score the maximum point value (either 5 to 10 points) for fields less than 10 acres and with border around 75 percent of more of the edge. Concealment cover is not necessary in small fields (<10 acres) with a brushy, grassy or weedy border as cover for quail or rabbits. Add all types of concealment cover found within the field to obtain the total percent. Dense woody draws which are part of an irregular edge may also be scored as concealment cover when they extend more than 50 percent across the width of the field. Concealment cover can not be grazed.

Estimate the percent canopy coverage of shrubs and herbaceous vegetation 6 inches to 4 feet tall for white-tailed deer and 6 inches to 18 inches tall for the other species. An area with more than 75 percent coverage will be difficult to walk through and is too thick for quail, rabbits and turkey to move through. Vegetative cover less than 25 percent coverage does not provide sufficient cover and food for these species. Vegetative cover of < 5 percent usually indicates all vegetative cover is less than 6 inches tall (such as an over grazed pasture or recently mowed field). Vegetative cover is not a measure of ground cover but a measure of herbaceous and woody plant volume 6 to 18 inches high. Thick vegetation in a plane 6 to 18 inches can be barer to ground nesting wildlife.

Size class is defined as the diameter at breast height (DBH) category in which 50 percent or more of the trees occur. Size classes are (1) Sawtimber: Greater than 9" DBH; (2) Pole: 2" to 9" DBH; and (3) Reproduction: 0 to 2" DBH. Scattered sawtimber is defined as one or more trees per acre greater than 9" DBH. Canopy Coverage is defined as the degree to which foliage and branches of the forest overstory prevent sunlight from reaching the forest floor. An OPEN canopy is one having less than 50 percent coverage and a CLOSED canopy is one with greater than 50 percent coverage. The ungrazed open woodland has lots of sunlight and an abundant understory vegetation.

Estimate the percent of the forest overstory occurring in the black and white oak groups for deer and turkey. The other forest wildlife species, particularly squirrels, require a mix of overstory trees that produce a variety of nuts and fruits.

Estimate the percent of the woodland area occupied by openings or clearings having 0 to 10 percent canopy coverage. Score the maximum point value (either 5 to 10 points) for woodlands less than 40 acres in size because openings are not required in small wooded tracts to enhance food and cover. The same is true of linear or riparian woodlands which do not exceed 1/4 mile (1,320 feet) in width, regardless of acreage.

Conifers include planted pine plantations or thick red cedar stands two acres or greater in size. Ruffed grouse and many other species are attracted to conifers during harsh winter conditions.

Estimate the percent overstory canopy coverage in the wooded tract composed of tree greater than 16" DBH. These larger trees provide nest cavities and increase food supplies for squirrels.

Estimate the percent of field border or edge occurring as woodland, tree line, shelterbelt or individual trees greater than 10 feet tall. This characteristic measures nest site availability for mourning doves.

Estimate the percent of the field border or edge occurring as pine or red cedar trees greater than 10 feet tall. Coniferous trees serve as the best nest sites for doves.

Note the number of trees, either live or dead, with cavities. Usually, live trees or snags with cavities large enough for squirrels are greater than 6" DBH. Diameter of cavity opening can be small as 2" across.

Estimate the density of woody understory plants. More than four stems per square yard throughout a stand is so thick that walking will be difficult. Generally, a thick understory is only found on north to east facing slopes or in recently harvested woodlands. Ruffed grouse prefer very dense understory vegetation for drumming and brood rearing habitat.

Note the aspect (direction of slope) and circle the appropriate number. Use the category that corresponds to the predominant slope direction for woodlands with more than one aspect.

Estimate the percent of the woodland being appraise that is within the specified distance of any other habitat type (cropland, pasture/hayland, old field or Nonforested wetland). Enter the percent figure in the block directly above the column of numbers for this characteristic. Exceptionally large woodlands are not attractive to bobwhite quail and rabbits.

Estimate the percent of the field being appraised that is within the specified distance of dense winter cover or ungrazed woodland. Enter the percent figure in the block directly above the column of numbers for this characteristic. Exceptionally large fields are not attractive to bobwhite quail or rabbits.

A list of some plant species that are important as a food source is printed on the back of each guide sheet. Record the occurrence of the plants found on this listing. Circle the point value given for that number of plants identified in the field. Some judgment is required in determining if a plant is available in sufficient abundance to provide an adequate food source.

Estimate the annual grazing or haying intensity. Heavy use is defined as over-utilization of the forage. Moderate use is defined as acceptable use within SCS standards and specifications or 3"-6" over winter height of cool-season grasses and 8"-10" over winter height of warm-season grasses. Light use is under-utilization of forage. Example: three cuttings of cool-season grass hay is heavy use; two cuttings is moderate use; and one cutting is light use under normal moisture conditions. Periodic burning as the primary management practice would also be light use.

Estimate the percent of ground covered or shaded by legumes both native and introduced. Legumes are an important food plant group and include alfalfa, clovers, tick trefoils, Korean lespedeza, etc. Do not include sericea lespedeza.

Estimate the percent ground covered or shaded by broad-leaved plants (not grass) including legumes. These plants, especially annual weeds, provide seeds for food important to quail and prairie chickens.

Rank the pasture/hayland habitat to the closest description on the guide sheet. Any mixture of both cool-season grass(es) and legume(s) would be rated in the category, "Mixed cool-Season Grass; or cool-season grasses and legumes."

Estimate the average plant height on April 1st in the pasture/hayland habitat for the pheasant and prairie chicken. This characteristic is important for pheasant nesting and fields mowed once after August 1st will usually have an average plant height of less than 8 inches.

Estimate grazing and haying pressure, burning frequency, and flooding periods of grassland types for the periods of the growing season indicated on the form. This characteristic is a measure of ring-necked pheasant and prairie chicken nesting habitat quality.

Estimate the percent of the field covered by the canopy of trees, shrubs and vines. Both ring-necked pheasant and prairie chickens prefer fields without woody invasion.

Estimate the percent of the ground occurring as bare ground and not covered by vegetation or litter. Mourning doves are seed eaters preferring to forage for food on bare ground.

Discuss normal or past cropping practices with the landowner and select the most appropriate description.

Score the maximum point value (either 5 or 10 points) for cropfields, idle for 1 or 2 years in government sponsored set-aside programs under the Cropping Practices and Crop Rotation characteristics. Fields idle for more than two consecutive years should be appraised as old fields and not as cropfields.

Estimate the percent of cropland, pasture/hayland surrounding the farm will determine the farm's attractiveness to ring-necked pheasants, prairie chickens and mourning doves. Similarly, the amount of woodland in the vicinity of farm is important to white-tailed deer, wild turkey, squirrel and ruffed grouse abundance. An aerial photo is usually necessary for accurate estimation. Discussing surrounding land use with the landowner will also facilitate scoring these characteristics.

Estimate the percent of grassland within 2-mile wide circle that is predominately native warm-season grasses or is native prairie. This characteristic is difficult to estimate from an aerial photo. Discussing the composition of surrounding hayfields and pastures with the landowner or noting his characteristic while driving to the farm may help.

Estimate the percent woodland within 2-mile wide circle that is ungrazed. This characteristic is very important to deer, turkey and ruffed grouse because grazed woodlands can degrade habitat quality for these species.

Estimate the percent pasture/hayland within 2-mile wide circle that is lightly to moderately used (forage utilization within SCS standards and specifications). The ring-necked pheasant and especially the prairie chicken require properly utilized grasslands for nesting and brood rearing.

Estimate the percent of the woodland (stand) that is within 660 feet of a recently harvested forest tract (reproductive size class). Ruffed grouse prefer to drum and raise broods in thick resprouting woody vegetation.

Estimate the percent of all cropland within 2-mile wide circle of the field being rated that is within 660 feet (1/8 mile) of pasture/hayland. The ring-necked pheasant prefers land use consisting primarily of cropland but grass nesting sites must be in close proximity to cropland. Usually this characteristic will score the highest point value (10 points) except in areas of expansive cropfields without adjacent grasslands. Grass contour strips or grass terraces within cropfields, at least 30 feet wide, can also be scored as pasture/hayland within 660 feet of cropland.

Estimate the percent pasture/hayland within a 2-mile wide circle of field being evaluated that occurs as fields 80 acres or larger. This characteristic applies only to the prairie chicken because land use patterns consisting of small fields reduce habitat quality of this bird.

Estimate the percent of all forest cover within a 2-mile wide circle of the tract being rated that is within 660 feet (1/8 mile) of cropland, pasture/hayland or old field. Deer and turkey numbers are related to the size and distribution of forest cover. Greater than 75 percent (category 2) of the woodland within 660 feet of other habitat types would be a highly fragmented landscape with small wooded tracts and wooded draws scattered through cropfields and pasture/hayfields. A land use pattern of < 10 percent woodland (category 5) within 660 feet of any other habitat would be primarily forest. This land use pattern is found primarily in the Ozarks.

Measure distances from the center of the field or woodland being appraised to the edge of the nearest habitat type indicated on the guide sheet. For any habitat exceeding the maximum distances, the score is 1 regardless of measurement or plant species composition. Also note special exceptions to distance categories. Distance to old fields with >50 percent canopy coverage of fescue, grazed woodland, heavily used pasture/hayland, and fall plowed cropland score 1 point regardless of distance.

A 1/4 acre or larger food plot consisting of annual grains or green browse (legumes) will substitute for distance to cropfield. Plant diversity in Distance to Pasture/Hayland refers to the number of different grasses, forbs and legumes. A pasture/hayland with high plant diversity should have legumes and forbs in addition to grasses. Generally, a heavily grazed or mowed pasture/hayland will have low plant diversity. Grass strips greater than 30 feet wide in cropfields (waterways, field borders, filter strips) qualify as Distance to Pasture/Hayland.

Note: the distance to woody cover or woodland applies to concealment cover within the field being appraised or woody fence rows or draws as well as woodland greater than 100 feet wide. A common mistake in scoring distance to woody cover or woodland is overlooking dense brushy areas and measuring to the nearest wooded tract.

Water is an essential part of fall and winter habitat (October 1 to March 1). Water can be provided by pumping, flooding or runoff. Water must be present during the entire October to March period to receive a score higher than 1. Predictable means that water can be provided every year during the fall-winter period. Controlled means that water can be retained in the wetland with levies or other structures.

Fall and winter flooding can damage food sources by covering annual seeds with silt or covering food plants with debris. This situation generally occurs in wetlands along streams and rivers. The flood damage to wetland vegetation varies from year to year and this characteristic must be scored as an average condition by considering previous flooding and projecting future conditions. Score the lower point values if fall and winter floods damage the lower point values if fall and winter floods damage important food sources most years. Score the higher point value if uncontrolled floods and situation are rarely a problem.

Mallards and geese have difficulty feeding in water more than 18" deep. Estimate the percent of the wetland or flooded cropland area with 1"~18" deep and account for periodic fluctuations from flooding or runoff that may make water depths greater than 18"

A listing of food plants important to mallards and geese are listed on the guide sheets. Percent coverage is more important than number of different food plants. Migrating waterfowl require a significant amount of food to support large numbers of birds over the 5 to 6 month fall-winter period.

Consult the list of food plants on the guide sheets and circle the appropriate number. Some judgment is required in determining if a plant is available in sufficient abundance to provide an adequate food source.

Migrating waterfowl prefer nonforested wetlands dominated by food producing plants, but a certain amount of protection from wind is desirable. Estimate the percent wetland covered by woody vegetation and/or persistent emergents (cattails, bulrush, smartweeds, or other herbaceous plants that remain erect for most of the winter).

This characteristic applies to bottomland hardwoods and includes shallow depressions, sloughs, creek channels, oxbows, etc. that will have water during the fall-winter period. These areas may be dry during the summer months. Estimate the percent of the woodland area covered by these features.

Estimate the percent of bottomland hardwoods and non-forested wetlands (herbaceous) with a 2-mile wide circle of the field or wetland being rated. Mallards are attracted to large wetlands or groups of wetlands with open wetlands associated with wooded wetlands. Annually flooded cropland can be included in this category.

Estimate the total nonforested wetlands and/or open water within 2-mile wide circle of the wetland or field being rated. Canada geese will not use bottomland hardwoods, but they do prefer larger wetlands and open water areas. Annually flooded cropland can be included in this category.

Measure distances from the center of the wetland or field to the edge of the nearest habitat type indicated on the guide sheet. The availability of water from October 1 to March 1 on a predictable and reliable basis in adjacent habitats must also be evaluate. Unpredictable or unreliable water availability will result in a low point value of 1 regardless of the distance between the sample site and the adjacent habitats.

Canada geese require access to open water during the winter. Major rivers are defined as watercourses greater than 100 feet wide and may include the following: Missouri, Mississippi, Grand, Osage, Chariton, St. Francois and Black. All Corps or Engineers' impoundments will qualify as major reservoirs. Distances can be estimated from county or state road maps.

Canada geese are very traditional in selecting migration and wintering habitats and locations. These birds may not utilize suitable winter habitat if it is located too far from sites within historical use. Major wintering areas include the following state wildlife management areas (WMA) and national wildlife refuges (NWR) and Corps of Engineers Reservoirs: Fountain Grove WMA (Linn County), Swan Lake NWR (Chariton County), Smithville Reservoir (Clay County), Thomas Hill WMA (Randolph County), Clarence Cannon Reservoir (Audrain County), Schell-Osage WMA (St. Clair County), Table Rock Reservoir (Stone County), Bull Shoals Reservoir (Taney County), Duck Creek WMA (Stoddard County), Mingo NWR (Stoddard County), Stockton Reservoir (Cedar County) August Brush WMA (St. Charles County) and Squaw Creek NWR (Holt County).

Estimate the distance in miles to the nearest shaded zone indicated on the map on the mallard appraisal form. The traditional waterfowl use zone includes historic flyway corridors used by mallards in Missouri. Mallard management will be more successful in attracting birds during the fall and winter within this zone.