Others are remote and must be located on foot with map and compass. Some areas can withstand considerable human traffic without harm. Others easily could be harmed by overuse. Some areas contain native Missouri habitats that were once abundant, such as prairies, streams, oak-hickory forests and limestone glades. Others contain rare or endangered species or unique natural communities or features that have always been uncommon, such as large springs, natural bridges, fens and sinkhole ponds.
Natural areas are a type of natural resource containing relatively undisturbed native habitats.
They can be used as research areas for comparison with more modified habitats and as places to study ecosystems, plants, animals and their interrelationships. They can be used as demonstration areas or models for natural community management on less pristine, but recoverable areas. Natural areas and their animals and plants are genetic reservoirs of living wild species of potential use to man. They can be home for rare, threatened or endangered species. Our domesticated livestock, food crops, pets and garden flowers all have their roots in the natural world.