WHAT IS A NATURAL AREA?

Much of Missouri's original landscape no longer exists. But thanks to the Missouri Natural Areas System some examples of it are being preserved and protected. Natural areas are important benchmarks to evaluate environmental change and serve as reservoirs of the state biological diversity. Additionally, natural areas provide opportunities for scientific study as well as educational, cultural, and recreational uses. Through protection from development and by managing to preserve the natural characteristics of the areas, the best examples of natural communities are preserved. Natural areas often provide essential habitat for rare and endangered plants and animals.

The Missouri Natural Areas Committee is an interagency committee, consisting of representatives of the Missouri Department of Conservation, Missouri Department of Natural Resources, USDA Forest Service, and the National Park Service which coordinate the classification, inventory, designation, and stewardship of natural areas in Missouri. Natural areas are owned by a variety of public agencies as well as private concerns.

The Mark Twain National Forest has a wide selection of natural areas, representing fens, sinkhole ponds, glades, forests and aquatic communities.

TUPELO GUM POND NATURAL AREA

In certain parts of Missouri a karst topography exists. This type of land surface is created as rainwater filters down through limestone or dolomite forming large caverns and caves. When too much rock dissolves, the cave's ceiling collapses and a sinkhole appears. Most sinkholes don't hold water, but Tupelo Gum Pond is an exception to the rule. Also exceptional about Tupelo Gum Pond is the narrow ring of water tupelo trees surrounding the pond. These trees are common in the swamps of the Mississippi delta. The existence of this disjunct (outside of its main range) stand of water tupelo trees indicates Tupelo Gum Pond is one of the most ancient sinkhole ponds in the Ozark uplands. The only other known stand of water tupelo in the Ozarks is at Cupola Pond natural area, which is also on the Mark Twain National Forest.

When you walk down into the sinkhole from the surrounding dry, upland forest the sudden appearance of the pond is a surprise. With its ring of tall, old water tupelo trees, their broad buttresses rising from the coffee-colored water, you sense that this is truly an unusual spot. The surface of the water is blanketed in places with lily, and the edges of the pond are home to cattails and sedges. Canby's bulrush, endangered in Missouri, grows here too. On the slopes surrounding the pond, the canopy is made up of white oak, black oak, scarlet oak, shortleaf pine, sassafras, persimmon and hickory. Flowering dogwood is the dominant understory tree. The herbaceous goundcover includes ground cherry, fire pink, meadow beauty, ragwort, and wood sorrel.

WILDLIFE AT TUPELO GUM POND

Upland sinkhole ponds occur on dry ridges and therefore are important oases for all wildlife. Around sunrise or dusk, you may see deer coming to drink. Watch and listen for wild turkey. Since most sinkhole ponds are fishless, they are important breeding habitat for amphibians; listen for frogs and toads calling and watch for salamanders. Large cavities in the water tupelos provide homes for squirrels.

OWNERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Owned and managed by USDA Forest Service, Mark Twain National Forest -Eleven Point Ranger District.

SPECIAL REGULATIONS Hunting, fishing, collection of plants or animals, and vehicular traffic are prohibited. Enjoy all other recreational activities allowed on the National Forest.

ADDITIONAL NATURAL AREAS

You may wish to visit nearby natural areas on the same day. Listed below are Mark Twain National Forest, National Park Service, and Missouri Department of Conservation natural areas. For more information on a particular site, check ownership and contact the Forest Service District Ranger office, National Park Service - Ozark National Scenic Riverways, or the Department of Conservation Wildlife District Supervisor in the location listed.

Brushy Pond-------------------------------USFS-------Winona, MO
Grassy Pond-------------------------------MDC-------West Plains, MO
Golden Seal--------------------------------MDC-------West Plains, MO
Mule Hollow Glade------------------------MDC-------West Plains, MO
Marg Pond----------------------------------USFS------Winona, MO
Overcup Oak Sink-------------------------USFS------Winona, MO
Mill Mountain-------------------------------NPS--------Van Buren, MO
Red Maple Pond---------------------------USFS------Doniphan, MO

SIZE, LOCATION, AND ACCESS

Thirty-two acres (pond plus buffer zone) in Oregon County. Portions of section 4, T25N, R4W, Birch Tree 7.5 topographical quadrangle. From Winona go 4 miles west on U.S. 60 to Shannon County road 617 (just before the junction of state highway E). Go about 8 miles south on 617 to forest road 3239 and turn left (there is a sign for Tupelo Gum Pond at this corner). Travel 2.1 miles to the pond. Watch for natural area boundary signs.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Forest Supervisor
401 Fairgrounds Road
Rolla, MO 65401
(314) 364-4621 TTY

Eleven Point District Ranger
Rt. 1, Box 69
Winona, MO 65588
(314) 325-4233 TTY