This data set for Missouri and Arkansas glades was initiated in 2009 by Mark Twain National Forest Ecologist Paul Nelson to map and analyze glades on United States Forest Service (USFS) lands. Upon retirement, Nelson expanded the inventory to encompass 610 7.5 minute quadrangle maps through cooperative agreements by the American Bird Conservancy. Missouri’s agreements included funding support by the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The geo-dataset is designed to represent concise locations for the statewide distribution of dolomite, limestone, sandstone, igneous and chert glade natural communities. Glade mappers interpreted aerial photographs, geologic data and topographic maps then conducted field surveys to validate mapping interpretations in various glade-producing landscapes.
In 2013, the Arkansas Natural Heritage Program, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, the Gulf Coastal Plains and Ozarks Landscape Conservation Cooperative, and the Ouachita National Forest contracted with the American Bird Conservancy to complete glade mapping for over 400 7.5 minute quadrangle maps in Arkansas. Paul Nelson completed the mapping in 2016. The geo-dataset provides approximate locations for chalk, novaculite, shale, nepheline-syenite, scour, and talus glade natural communities in addition to the above Missouri glade types.
