Print Report
CEGL003693 Quercus arkansana - Quercus incana / Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Arkansas Oak - Bluejack Oak / Riddell''s Spikemoss Woodland
Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Xeric Sandhill Complex (Arkansas Oak Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This xeric woodland is characterized by a low (<12 m), open canopy often dominated by Quercus arkansana and Quercus incana, with lesser amounts of Quercus margarettae, Quercus stellata, and Pinus echinata. Canopy species occur as small groves or in more-or-less uniform stands, along with some dense patches of shrubs and woody vines. Areas with woody vegetation are interspersed with open areas dominated by grasses, bare sand, or a sparse combination of component herbs, often with patches of Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii. The herbaceous species serve as particularly good indicators of xeric conditions; many species are both fidel to this habitat in the region and endemic to the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community occurs in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of southwestern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and possibly northeastern Texas. Putative Texas examples may not contain Quercus arkansana (MacRoberts and MacRoberts 1997a, p. 88). It is currently known from Nevada, Miller, Union, and Ouachita counties in Arkansas, and from Caddo, Bossier, and Webster parishes in Louisiana. This community has a restricted distribution with few known occurrences. All remaining examples show evidence of disturbance, particularly from past timbering and by vehicle traffic. Additional information is needed to determine whether this, as well as ~Quercus (incana, margarettae, arkansana) - (Pinus echinata) / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL007972)$$, should be recognized.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This xeric woodland is characterized by a low (<12.2 m), open canopy dominated by Quercus arkansana and Quercus incana, with lesser amounts Quercus margarettae and Pinus echinata. Pinus taeda and occasional Juniperus virginiana may also be present in some instances. Canopy species occur as small groves or in uniform stands, interspersed with open areas dominated by grass, bare sand, or Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii. Shrubs occur in dense patches and may include Carya texana, Frangula caroliniana, Rhus aromatica, Sideroxylon lanuginosum ssp. lanuginosum, Chionanthus virginicus, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium arboreum, and Sassafras albidum. Herbaceous species may include Astragalus soxmaniorum, Berlandiera pumila, Matelea cynanchoides, Clematis reticulata, Cnidoscolus texanus, Commelina erecta, Coreopsis intermedia, Croton argyranthemus, Cyperus retrofractus, Dalea phleoides, Dalea villosa var. grisea, Delphinium carolinianum, Draba cuneifolia, Eriogonum longifolium, Eriogonum multiflorum, Froelichia floridana, Helianthemum georgianum, Heterotheca subaxillaris, Hymenopappus artemisiifolius, Liatris elegans, Monarda punctata, Opuntia humifusa, Paronychia drummondii, Paspalum laeve, Pediomelum hypogaeum (= Psoralea hypogaea), Penstemon murrayanus, Physalis cf. heterophylla, Oenothera heterophylla, Schizachyrium scoparium, Scutellaria cardiophylla, Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii, Stylosanthes biflora, Phemeranthus rugospermus (= Talinum rugospermum) (rare), Tetragonotheca ludoviciana, and Tradescantia reverchonii. This community supports many rare plant species, including several endemic to the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Rare species reported from Arkansas occurrences of this community include Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii, Penstemon murrayanus, and Oenothera heterophylla.
Dynamics: The role of fire in this community is not well understood, but is thought to be an important natural disturbance (Pell 1983). The natural fire season for this part of the Coastal Plain is thought to be in late summer and early fall (T. Foti pers. comm.).
Environmental Description: This community occurs on ancient, residual marine deposits, with flat to gently rolling topography. In Arkansas, soils supporting this type are typically of the Alaga Series and are low-nutrient, well-drained, acidic sands (Pell 1983). In Louisiana, soils include Betis loamy fine sand with similar chemical/physical properties.
Geographic Range: This community occurs in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of southwestern Arkansas and northwestern Louisiana. It is known from Nevada, Miller, Union and Ouachita counties in Arkansas, and from Caddo, Bossier, and Webster counties in Louisiana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, LA, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683530
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.g Loblolly Pine - Shortleaf Pine - Oak species Forest & Woodland Group | G013 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
| Alliance | A0386 Bluejack Oak - Arkansas Oak - Shortleaf Pine Woodland Alliance | A0386 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
| Association | CEGL003693 Arkansas Oak - Bluejack Oak / Riddell''s Spikemoss Woodland | CEGL003693 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? IB4d. Arkansas Oak Woodland (Allard 1990)
= T2B4aI2a. Quercus arkansana - Quercus incana (Foti et al. 1994)
< Western Xeric Sandhill Woodland (Smith 1995a)
= T2B4aI2a. Quercus arkansana - Quercus incana (Foti et al. 1994)
< Western Xeric Sandhill Woodland (Smith 1995a)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Foti, T. 1994a. Natural communities of Arkansas (terrestrial and palustrine). Unpublished document. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock. 2 pp.
- Foti, T., M. Blaney, X. Li, and K. G. Smith. 1994. A classification system for the natural vegetation of Arkansas. Proceedings of the Arkansas Academy of Science 48:50-53.
- Foti, T., and B. Pell. 1986. Natural communities of Arkansas (terrestrial and palustrine). Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock. 2 pp.
- Foti, Tom. Personal communication. Ecologist [retired]. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock.
- LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
- MacRoberts, M. H., and B. R. MacRoberts. 1997a. Talinum rugospermum Holz., new to Louisiana with notes on terete-leaved Talinum in Louisiana. Phytologia 82(2):86-93.
- Pell, W. F. 1983. The natural divisions of Arkansas: A revised classification and description. Natural Areas Journal 3:12-23.
- Pell, W. F. 1984. Plant communities. Pages 71-95 in: B. Shepherd, editor. Arkansas''s natural heritage. August House, Little Rock.
- Roberts, J. 1978. The sandhills region of south Arkansas. Unpublished report. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock.
- Smith, L. M. 1995a. Baseline information for the rare natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 24 pp. plus maps.
- Smith, Latimore M. Personal communication. Natural Heritage Program Ecologist. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.