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Osage/Gasconade Hills

Ecoregion on Ozark Plateau, MO

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The Osage/Gasconade Hills ecoregion is more densely forested and dissected than the lower relief Central Plateau (39d) to the south. Steep slopes and narrow ridges of carbonate and sandstone underlie soils which are rocky and thin. Outcrops of Gasconade dolomite with some sandstone are found throughout the region along with areas of Roubidoux sandstone, Jefferson City-Cotter dolomites and scattered Mississippian limestone outliers in the western portion. Numerous caves, springs, calcareous wet meadows, losing streams, and streams with entrenched valley meanders are common. Streams flow generally northward and drain into the Missouri River. The potential natural vegetation is predominantly mixed oak forest, with oak-pine forest and some pine forests in the southeast areas of the region and some small limestone and sandstone glades. The northeastern edges of this region are transitional and blend into the Interior River Valleys and Hills (72) ecoregion.

— EPA

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