Bottomland deciduous forests remain along many streams. Streams flow generally southward and include the St. Francis, Black, Current and Eleven Point rivers. The St. Francois Mountains Natural Section is the area of greatest relief and elevation in Missouri. There are few springs, caves or other karst features in this natural section. The White River and Elk River natural sections are both characterized by steep terrain and deciduous forest mixed with some pine.
Glades are common, especially in the White River drainage.
The Springfield Plateau Natural Section is physiographically the most distinct in the Ozark Natural Division. Historically, its landform was not highly dissected and its topography, soils, and pre-settlement vegetation were characterized by a mosaic of Osage Plains prairies grading into Ozarks forests. Prairie once occupied about 29 percent of this section, which today is less than 1 percent prairie. Today, this natural section is characterized by fragmented forests, pasture and early successional shrub-scrub habitats. The physical characteristics described above have influenced the cultural traits that distinguish the Ozarks region.