The Ozark Mountains Ecoregion is a highland area of the central United States, stretching across Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. (Foti) It is composed of the Boston, Springfield, and Salem Plateaus and marks one of the six natural divisions of Arkansas.

 

Image 1. Map of the Ozark Mountains Ecoregion 

 

        Because of its economic, scenic, recreational, cultural, and environmental contributions to the central United States, the Ozark Mountains play an important role on the local and regional scale. However, this particular study will focus on the Ozark mountains' relationship with the surrounding region, specifically the Boston Plateau. Also known as the Boston Mountains, it is the highest of all three plateaus with elevations reaching up to 2,560 feet above sea level. The Boston Plateau comprises mainly northern Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma. 



Image 2. Scenic view from one of the peaks of the Boston Mountains

Historical State of the Ecosystem:

The entire Ozark Mountains region is dominated by limestone, dolomite, and chert, which is a flint-like rock. Underlying the Boston Plateau is mainly sandstone, shale, and limestone from the late Mississippian to Pennsylvanian age. This mountain range was most likely formed from an uplift over 300 million years ago during the Pennsylvania era. (Foti) Historically, the Boston Plateau has been dominated by oak and hickory forests. However, tree-ring and fire-scar analysis indicate a decline in oaks and other tree species in the Boston Mountains over the last 150 years due to drought and fire suppression. (Soucy, Heitzman, and Spetich, Canadian  Journal of Forest Research)  

Graph 1. Decline in oak forests and other tree species in Arkansas

 Despite these decreases in tree species, the forests of the Boston Mountains and Ozark region have managed to maintain diversity. In addition to the still dominant oak and hickory trees, the area possesses maple, dogwood, pine, and apple trees. ("Welcome to Ozark Critters")

 

Wildlife of the Boston Plateau:

 

- Elk                          - Fox Squirrel                        - White-tailed Deer    

- Rabbits (cotton tail)  - Wild Turkey                        - Great Horned Owl 

- Bald Eagle                - Black Bear                          - Mountain Lion
- Bobcat                     - Coyote                               - Red and Gray Fox

In addition to these wildlife species, the Ozark Mountains contain many endemic species. The big-eared bat, gray bat, and Indiana bat all appear on the federal endangered species list while the Ozark cavefish is considered "threatened". (Sprick)

 

Benefits of the Ozark Mountain Ecoregion:

 

        Besides the role it plays in the provision of homes for wildlife, the Ozark Mountain ecosystem is also a major tourist destination of the central United States and thus an important part of the regional and local economy. Its tourist appeal results from incredibly scenic views, unique karst formations (caves and caverns), and opportunities for recreation such as hiking, canoeing, and fishing. Another key contribution of this ecoregion is its possession of a wealth of water resources in the form of man-made reservoirs. These include the Lake of the Ozarks, Lake of the Cherokees, Table Rock Lake, and Greers Ferry Lake. (Thomas) These water resources make up part of the Ozark Aquifer, which provides agricultural irrigation, public water supply, and power for local industries. (Thomas) In addition, the Boston Plateau serves as the source of many rivers and streams, including the White, Buffalo, King's, Mulberry, Big Piney, and Little Red Rivers. (Foti) Finally, the Ozark Mountains is also a source of timber in a limited capacity.

 

Image 3. This photograph illustrates the many benefits that the Ozark Mountains provide, such as scenic views, recreational opportunities, water resources for irrigation, industry, and private use, and timber.  

Human Impacts on the Boston Plateau and Ozark Mountain Ecoregion:

 

1) Groundwater contamination and water quality concerns

    - Because agriculture is one of the primary land uses in the Ozark Mountains ecoregion, its wealth of water resources is threatened by livestock and poultry waste. In addition, "fertilizer use, including nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers, in the Ozark Plateaus increased 152% and 55% respectively between 1965-1985". (Davis and Bell)

2) Exploitation of water resources

    - The Ozark Plateau Aquifer System, which provides water for private homes, industry, agriculture, and generation of power, is under threat because of these demands and the rapid population growth in this region. (Thomas) The graph below depicts the distribution of water from the Ozark Plateau Aquifer System. In 1990, agriculture/irrigation was designated 42% of the aquifer's water.       

Graph 2. Shows the immense demand placed on the Ozark Plateau Aquifer System and the unequally high amount of water dedicated to agricultural and irrigation needs (42%)

3) Suppression of fire

    - Has resulted in litter build-up and a decrease in tree diversity

4) Urban development

    - Resulted from its tourist appeal, water resources, provision of recreational opportunities, and growing industry in the region

 

Protected Areas:

       

        Conservation efforts in the region have involved the designation of "protected scenic rivers", such as the Jacks Forks and Buffalo Rivers, along with the creation of wildlife refuges and national parks. These protected areas include the Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge, the Buffalo National River Park, the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and the Hobbs State Park Conservation Area.

 

Future Prospects for the Boston Plateau and Ozark Mountain Region:

 

         Because of its wealth of natural resources, status as a tourist destination, growing population, and untapped economic potential, this region is going to continue to face exploitation and development. It seems as though local and regional governments along with conservation groups recognize the impending challenges because monitoring and management strategies are being implemented. For example, the Ozark Plateau Unit of the National Water Quality Assessment Program will continue to monitor water quality, evaluate pollutants, determine current regional water demand, and examine past land use practices. (Thomas) Secondly, conservation committees, such as the George Wright Society Conference on Parks, Protected Areas, and Cultural Sites, will meet every two years in order to monitor the effectiveness of protected areas. (Elliott) Next, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is planning to institute a series of "controlled burns" over the next several years of approximately 43,000 acres in the area, including Franklin, Crawford, and Madison counties in Arkansas. ("White Rock Prescribed Burning Project") This measure is being taken in hopes of improving wildlife habitat, scenic viewing quality, and nutrient recycling in Ozark National Forests. Finally, a somewhat negative future prospect for this region is the plan for expansion of Highway 49, which will require an extension of I-540 through the Boston Plateau area.

 

What Can Be Done to Improve Human Impacts on the Boston Plateau?

 

        The Boston Plateau, along with its sister plateaus, all contribute to the Ozark Mountain Ecoregion's reputation as an invaluable source of natural resources, culture, history, agriculture, scenic beauty, and recreation. This central region of the country, in particular northwest Arkansas, is becoming a growing hotbed for industry; therefore, population and resource demand will only continue to rise. In order to maintain a balance between people and the Ozark Mountains ecosystem, action must be taken to limit the use of fertilizers, regulate the distribution of water in the Ozark Plateau Aquifer System, rely more heavily on surface water rather than ground water, protect the endangered and threatened wildlife species, and minimize construction and residential development of land. Managing the relationship between humans and the Ozark Mountains poses a serious challenge because human desire to exploit its wealth of natural resources must be balanced with the recognition that this region must be preserved for cultural and environmental purposes.

 

Image 4. View from one of the peaks of the Ozark Mountains

 

References:

 

1) Arkansas Mulberry River Preserve. Digital image. Arkansas: Mulberry River Preserve. The Nature Conservancy, 2012. Web. 20 Nov. 2012. <http://www. nature.org/idc/groups/webcontent/@web/@arkansas/documents/media/prd_   019443.jpg>. (Image 3)

 

2) "Climate and Geology." Buffalo National River Arkansas. National Park Service, 15 Nov. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/buff/

naturescience/climate-and-geology.htm>.

 

3) Davis, Jerri, and Richard Bell. "Water-Quality Assessment of the Ozark Plateaus Study Unit, Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma-Nutrients, Bacteria, Organic Carbon, and Suspended Sediment in Surface Water, 1993-95." National Water-Quality Assessment Program. USGS: Science for a Changing World, 1998. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. http://pubs.usgs.gov/wri/wri98-4164/WRIR98-4164.pdf.

 

4) Elliott, Gregg. "Call for Submissions: Protected Areas in a Changing World: The 2013 George Wright Society Conference on Parks, Protected Areas, and Cultural Sites." Conserving Fish and Wildlife Through Science, Technology, and Partnerships. Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks LCC, 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://gcpolcc.org/events/call-for-submissions-protected-areas-in-a-changing-world-the-2013>.

5) Foti, Thomas. "Ozark Mountains." The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture. N.p., 26 Aug. 2011. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. <http://www.encyclopedia

ofarkansas.net/encyclopedia/entry-detail.aspx?entryID=440>.

 

6) Graph of changes in forest structure in upland oak forests in Arkansas. Digital image. Forest Ecology and Management. Sciene Direct, Nov. 2006. Web. 23 Nov. 2012.
<http://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0378112706008668-gr2.gif>. (Graph 1)

 

7) "Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area." Arkansas State Parks. N.p., 2009. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.arkansasstateparks.com/images/pdfs/

HOBBS_09.pdf>.

 

8) "Nature and Science." Ozark National Scenic Riverways Missouri. National Park Service, 17 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nps.gov/ozar/

naturescience/index.htm>.

 

9) "A Newcomers Guide to Agriculture in Boone County, Arkansas." U of A Division of Agriculture. University of Arkansas, n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.uaex.edu/boone/agriculture/Agriculture_Boone_County.pdf>.

 

10) Ozark Area Overview. Digital image. Ozark Critters: Creatures, Beasts, Varmints, & Other Wildlife. N.p., 2009. Web. 22 Nov. 2012. <http://www.

ozarkcritters.net/img/OzarkOverview.jpg>. (Image 1)

 

11) "Ozark Highlands (Eco-Region 39)." Ecoregions. Arkansas Wildlife Action Plan, 2005. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.wildlifearkansas.com/ozark.

html>.

 

12) "Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge Proposed Refuge Expansion Environmental Assessment." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, Sept. 2002. Web. 18 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/Ozark/Ozark.pdf>.

13) Rafferty, Milton. "The Ozarks as a Region: A Geographer's Description." OzarksWatch. N.p., 1988. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. <http://thelibrary.org/lochist/
periodicals/ozarkswatch/ow104a.htm>.

14) Smith, Charles. Boston Mountains, the highest section of the Boston Plateau. Digital image. Wikipedia.com. N.p., 2003. Web. 23 Nov. 2012. <http://lindberg-work.com/work/images/ark-ozarks-boston-mtns-white-       rock-mountain-by-chas-smith-2003--wikipedia.jpg>. (Image 2) 

15) Smith, Scott. Graph depicting water distribution in the Ozark Plateau region. Digital image. Ozark Aquifer. N.p., 2006. Web. 23 Nov. 2012.
<http://academic.emporia.edu/schulmem/hydro/TERM%20PROJECTS/Smith/
uses.gif>. (Graph 2)

16) Soucy, Rick, Eric Heitzman, and Martin Spetich. "The Establishment and Development of Oak   Forests in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas." Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35.8 (2005): 1790-797. Google Scholar. Web. 19 Nov. 2012. <http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/abs/10.1139/x05-104>.

17) Spetich, Martin, and Hong He. "Oak Decline in the Boston Mountains, Arkansas, USA: Spatial and Temporal Patterns Under Two Fire Regimes." Forest Ecology and Management 254.3 (1998): 454-62. Google Scholar. Web. 19 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378112707007542#>.

18) Sprick, Mark. "Ozark Plateau National Wildlife Refuge Planning Update #1." U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services. U.S. Department of the Interior, Oct. 2009. Web. 22 Nov. 2012.
<http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/Ozark/OPNWRCCP2009.pdf>.

19) Thomas, Les. "The Effects of Landuse on The Ozark Plateaus Aquifer System." N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2012. <http://academic.emporia.edu/
schulmem/hydro/TERM%20PROJECTS/2008/Thomas/Project.index.html>.

20) View from one of the peaks in the Ozark Mountains. Digital image. Ozarka-The Switzerland of North America? Blogger, 1 July 2011. Web. 25 Nov. 2012. <http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Is11eI_nOik/TgviLAqYSDI/AAAAAAAA
C51/T2c8v1CABLU/s1600/Hikingtheozarks.jpg>. (Image 4)

21) "Welcome to Ozark Critters." Ozark Critters: Creatures, Beasts, Varmints, & Other Wildlife. N.p., 2009. Web. 22 Nov. 2012.<http://www.ozarkcritters.net/>.

22) "White Rock Prescribed Burning Project." Boston Mountain Ranger District. United States Department of Agriculture, 14 Sept. 2012. Web. 18 Nov. 2012. <http://www.fs.usda.gov/ Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb
5391111.pdf>.