Wildlife Biodiversity and Topoedaphic Features of Oklahoma's Ozark Glades

Ozark glades are rocky, grassland-like openings in woodlands that provide important habitat for xeric species. Glades face many threats, including Juniperus virginiana (Eastern Redcedar) encroachment. While research exists on glades in the Ozark region (e.g., Missouri and Arkansas), we know of no work characterizing glades or their wildlife communities in Oklahoma. Our objectives were to (1) characterize vegetation and geological features of Oklahoma glades, (2) create an inventory of glade fauna, and (3) model diversity and richness with glade characteristics. We surveyed 11 glade and 14 forest sites in spring, summer, and fall of 2023 and 2024. We found differences in vegetation and temperature between glades and the forest but little difference from remotely sensed data. We identified 17 mammal, 83 bird, and 30 herptile species utilizing glades. Richness and diversity of herptiles and birds responded positively to either <10% Eastern Redcedar encroachment or larger glades, whereas mammal richness and diversity only showed a strong relationship with season, with less support for glade-related covariates in mammal models. This study represents the first inventory of glade biodiversity in Oklahoma. Although many glades have likely been lost to degradation, management to reduce woody encroachment will allow glades to support diverse wildlife communities.