The Ozarks

The Ozarks are one of the most biologically diverse landscapes on earth. Forests, glades, prairies, streams, caves, springs and fens harbor habitats and species found nowhere else on the planet.

Ozark biodiversity is due in part to the age of the landscape. Nearly a quarter billion years of erosion and weathering have resulted in a thoroughly dissected plateau of remarkable geologic, topographic and hydrologic diversity. Subterranean dissolution of carbonate bedrock has formed world-renowned karst features of springs, sinkholes and caves. The Ozarks have continuously supported plant and animal life for 225 million years; perhaps longer than any other region in the United States. No glaciers or oceans covered the Ozarks during this time, providing opportunity for species to diversify. During glacial maxima, the Ozarks provided refuge for plant and animal species displaced from more northern latitudes. Isolated populations of some of these species survive today in caves, springs and other isolated damp, cool areas. Over 200 species are largely restricted to the Ozarks; of these, approximately 160 species occur nowhere else in the world. Find out more about Ozark culture and environment here.

Ozark hellbender
Cryptobranchis_alleganiensisa

USGS Amphibian Research
and Monitoring Initiative

Woodland crayfish (juv.)
Orconectes hylas

Doug Hardesty
U.S. Geological Survey