Ozark Highlands (ecoregion) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ozark Highlands ecoregion
Level III ecoregions in the region, with the Ozark Highlands ecoregion marked as (39) (full map)
Ecology
Borders	Boston Mountains (38), Central Irregular Plains (40), Interior River Valleys and Hills (72) and Mississippi Alluvial Plain (73)
Geography
Area	41,078 km2 (15,860 sq mi)
Country	United States
States	Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma
Climate type	Humid subtropical (Cwa)

The Ozark Highlands is a special natural area. The EPA calls it an 'ecoregion.' It covers parts of four states. Most of this area is in Missouri. Smaller parts are in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

It's the biggest part of the famous Ozark Mountains. It's not as rough or rocky as the Boston Mountains in Arkansas, which are the highest part of the Ozarks. The Ozark Highlands is split into eleven smaller areas. Seven of these smaller areas are completely inside Missouri.

Exploring the Ozark Highlands: Smaller Regions

The Ozark Highlands is divided into eleven smaller areas. Each one has its own unique features. Let's explore some of them!

Springfield Plateau: Land of Caves and Farms (39a)

The Springfield Plateau is a wide, mostly flat area. It's found in all four states of the Ozark Highlands. This region has many sinkholes and caves. These are formed by water dissolving the limestone rock underground.

Cold, clear streams flow here all year. The natural forests are mostly oak and hickory trees. There were also tallgrass prairies, kept open by natural fires. Today, much of the land is used for farming. Farmers raise chickens, cattle, and pigs. This farming can sometimes affect water quality.

Dissected Springfield Plateau–Elk River Hills: Rugged Forests (39b)

These hills are more rugged and covered in trees than the Springfield Plateau. They also have many caves and sinkholes. Cold, clear streams are common here.

The forests are mainly oak and hickory. You can also find shortleaf pine trees on the steep, rocky slopes. Logging, raising livestock, and outdoor fun are common activities here.

White River Hills: Lakes and Glades (39c)

The White River Hills are very hilly and covered in forests. The land is rocky and not good for farming. Flat areas are rare, except along the White River.

This region has many clear, cold, spring-fed streams. It's also home to big lakes like Table Rock Lake, Bull Shoals Lake, and Beaver Lake. You'll find 'cedar glades' here. These are open, rocky areas with thin soil where certain plants grow.

Central Plateau: Farms and Forests (39d)

The Central Plateau is a rolling to hilly area. Much of it is used for farming. It's less rugged than some other Ozark regions.

The natural landscape includes oak and hickory forests. There are also open areas called 'barrens' and 'cedar glades.' Today, you'll see lots of pastures for animals and hay fields. Some forests and savannas still remain in the steeper parts.

Osage/Gasconade Hills: Rivers and Rocky Slopes (39e)

These hills are very forested and rugged. They have steep slopes and narrow ridges. The rocks here are mostly carbonate and sandstone.

You'll find many caves, springs, and streams that flow into the Missouri River. The forests are a mix of oak trees. Some areas in the southeast have pine forests. This region is entirely within Missouri.

St. Francois Knobs and Basins: Ancient Rocks and Mining (39f)

This ecoregion is very unique. It has the oldest rocks in Missouri! Huge, rounded hills called 'knobs' rise high above flat areas called 'basins.' These knobs are made of ancient granite and rhyolite rock.

Unlike other Ozark areas, this region doesn't have many karst features like sinkholes. Streams here are smaller but flow quickly down steep slopes. Most of this area is covered in forests. Lead mining has been important here for a long time.

Meramec River Hills: Timber and Recreation (39g)

The Meramec River Hills are very rugged. They have steep hills and ridges covered in chert (a type of rock). This area is mainly used for timber (cutting trees) and outdoor recreation.

You can also find some pastures for grazing animals. The forests here are a mix of shortleaf pine and oak trees. Streams in this region flow northeast towards the Mississippi River.

Current River Hills: Unique Nature and Recreation (39h)

This region is similar to the Meramec River Hills. However, it's special because it has many unique plants and animals. These species are not found in other Ozark areas. The forests here have more pine trees than other regions.

In the early 1900s, a lot of timber was cut here. Now, it's a popular spot for outdoor fun. The stream valleys have many large, clear springs. The water quality here is generally very good.

Eastern Ozark Border: Where Hills Meet Plains (39i)

This area is a 'transition zone.' It's where the Ozark Highlands meet the flatter Interior River Valleys and Hills. You'll see moderately hilly areas and steep cliffs.

The soils can be rocky on slopes. The natural vegetation is a mix of oak forests, savannas, and prairies. This region has more farmland than other Ozark areas nearby.

Black River Hills Border: Less Rugged, More Rain (39j)

This region is also a transition area. It has broad, flat areas between streams and some moderately hilly parts. It's not as rugged as other Ozark hill regions.

The soils are thin and rocky on steep slopes. This region gets the most rain in the Ozark Highlands. It receives about 44-46 inches (112-117 cm) of rain each year.

Prairie Ozark Border: Where Forests Meet Prairies (39k)

This ecoregion shares features with both the Wooded Osage Plains and the Ozark Highlands. It has mostly smooth, gently sloping plains. The soils here support more cropland than other Ozark regions.

The streams in this area are rocky, like those found deeper in the Ozarks. The plants and animals here show a mix of prairie life from the northwest and forest life from the Ozark interior.