Print Report
CEGL007346 Populus deltoides - Salix nigra / Mikania scandens Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern Cottonwood - Black Willow / Climbing Hempvine Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern Coastal Plain Cottonwood - Willow Riverfront Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest, dominated by Populus deltoides and Salix nigra, occurs in the southeastern Coastal Plain along the fronts and banks of large rivers and on islands where sediment accretes. In addition to the above-listed species, Acer rubrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Salix caroliniana, Betula nigra, Planera aquatica, Ulmus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Morus rubra, Juglans nigra, and Acer saccharinum all may be present within their ranges. Ilex opaca var. opaca, Carpinus caroliniana, Lindera benzoin, Cornus drummondii, and Forestiera acuminata may be present in the subcanopy. Depending on the maturity of the occurrence, physiognomy varies. The herb layer is sparse to dense. Distribution is not known. The western limit of distribution also is not known. Work needs to be done to determine more precisely the range of this community and to determine whether it needs to be separated into less widespread types. The ranges of the dominant species in all strata do not preclude its wide distribution.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is dominated by Populus deltoides and Salix nigra in varying proportions but contributing at least 80% of the cover when combined. Other riverfront communities that have one or both of these species present will have less contribution of cover by these two species combined. Compare to its northern equivalent, ~Populus deltoides - Salix nigra - Acer saccharinum Floodplain Forest (CEGL002018)$$. Kentucky examples may exhibit features of either type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this forest are dominated by Populus deltoides and Salix nigra. These two species combined contribute at least 75% of the canopy cover with each contributing 25-75% of the total and a variety of other bottomland species contributing the rest. In addition to the above-listed species, Acer rubrum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Salix caroliniana, Betula nigra, Planera aquatica, Ulmus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Morus rubra, Juglans nigra, and Acer saccharinum all may be present within their ranges. Ilex opaca var. opaca, Carpinus caroliniana, Lindera benzoin, Cornus drummondii, and Forestiera acuminata may be present in the subcanopy. Depending on the maturity of the occurrence, physiognomy varies. The herb layer is sparse to dense. The exotics Microstegium vimineum, Lonicera japonica, and Ligustrum sinense are frequent invaders and may dominate the ground layer to the exclusion of native species.
Dynamics: This community experiences frequent flooding of short duration. Very heavy siltation can kill enough individuals of Populus deltoides to convert the community to one dominated almost exclusively by Salix nigra. This forest often succeeds to a forest dominated by some combination of Celtis laevigata, Ulmus americana, Platanus occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Regardless, succession in this community occurs relatively swiftly.
Environmental Description: This forest occurs in the southeastern Coastal Plain along the fronts and banks of large rivers and on islands where sediment accretes. This community is found on the fronts or banks of major rivers which are better-drained than areas farther from the watercourse. It can also be found on relatively newly accreted soil at the ends of islands and stream bars. Soils are coarser-textured than those of most other bottomland communities because the heavier soil particles drop out of flood waters first; silts and clays stay suspended longer and are deposited farther from the watercourse. This community may establish itself in either Zone III or Zone IV. If it occurs in Zone III, soil accretion will move the community into Zone IV. Zone III communities experience semipermanently inundated or saturated soil from surface or groundwater during >25% of the growing season; flooding is typical during winter and spring with a 51-100% frequency, but the soil is not saturated approximately 60% of the year. Zone IV communities experience seasonal inundation or groundwater saturation for approximately 12.5-25% of the year, usually during spring and early summer with a frequency of 51-100%.
Geographic Range: This forest occurs in the southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States. The status in the lower Piedmont is undetermined.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, SC?, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683975
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M031 | 1.B.3.Nb.4 |
Group | 1.B.3.Nb.4.b Green Ash - American Elm - Black Willow Floodplain Forest Group | G759 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.b |
Alliance | A3421 Eastern Cottonwood - Black Willow - Carolina Willow Coastal Plain Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3421 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.b |
Association | CEGL007346 Eastern Cottonwood - Black Willow / Climbing Hempvine Floodplain Forest | CEGL007346 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Black Willow: 95 (Eyre 1980)
? Cottonwood: 63 (Eyre 1980)
< IA7c. Eastern Cottonwood - Willow Riverfront Forest (Allard 1990)
? R1B3cI2c. Populus deltoides - Salix nigra - Celtis laevigata (Foti et al. 1994)
? R1B3cI3a. Salix nigra (Foti et al. 1994)
? Cottonwood: 63 (Eyre 1980)
< IA7c. Eastern Cottonwood - Willow Riverfront Forest (Allard 1990)
? R1B3cI2c. Populus deltoides - Salix nigra - Celtis laevigata (Foti et al. 1994)
? R1B3cI3a. Salix nigra (Foti et al. 1994)
- 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.
- Burns, R. M., and B. H. Honkala, technical coordinators. 1990b. Silvics of North America. Volume 2: Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 877 pp.
- Chafin, L. 2011. Georgia''s natural communities and associated rare plant and animal species: Thumbnail accounts. Based on "Guide to the Natural Communities of Georgia," by Edwards et al. 2013. University of Georgia Press. Georgia Nongame Conservation Section, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 125 pp.
- Clark, J. R., and J. Benforado. 1981. Introduction. Pages 1-9 in: J. R. Clark and J. Benforado, editors. Wetlands of bottomland hardwood forests. Elsevier Scientific Publications, New York.
- Dickson, J. G., and C. A. Segelquist. 1978. Winter bird populations in pine and pine-hardwood forest stands in east Texas. Proceedings of the Annual Conference of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies 31:134-137.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Faulkner, S. P., and W. H. Patrick, Jr. No date. Characterization of bottomland hardwood wetland transition zones in the lower Mississippi Valley. Unpublished document.
- 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.
- Klimas, C. V. 1988b. Forest vegetation of the leveed floodplain of the lower Mississippi River. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experimental Station, Lower Mississippi River Environmental Program. Report No. 11. Vicksburg, MS. 281 pp.
- Klimas, C. V., C. O. Martin, and J. W. Teaford. 1981. Impacts of flooding regime modification on wildlife habitats of bottomland hardwood forests in the lower Mississippi. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Waterways Experimental Station and Environmental Lab. Technical Report EL-81-13. Vicksburg, MS. 137 pp. plus appendix.
- 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]
- MSNHP [Mississippi Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Ecological communities of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Jackson, MS. 9 pp.
- McWilliams, W. H., and J. F. Rosson, Jr. 1990. Composition and vulnerability of bottomland hardwood forests of the Coastal Plain province in the south central United States. Forest Ecology and Management 33/34:485-501.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Putnam, J. A. 1951. Management of bottomland hardwoods. Occasional Paper No. 116. USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, LA.
- Putnam, J. A., G. M. Furnival, and J. S. McKnight. 1960. Management and inventory of southern hardwoods. Handbook 181. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 102 pp.
- Smith, D. W., and N. E. Linnartz. 1980. The southern hardwood region. Pages 145-230 in: J. W. Barrett, editor. Regional silviculture of the United States. Second edition. John Wiley and Sons, New York.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
- Van Auken, O. W., and J. K. Bush. 1988. Dynamics of establishment, growth, and development of black willow and cottonwood in the San Antonio River forest. Texas Journal of Science 40:269-277.
- Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.
- Wharton, C. H., W. M. Kitchens, E. C. Pendleton, and T. W. Sipe. 1982. The ecology of bottomland hardwood swamps of the Southeast: A community profile. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services. FWS/OBS-81/37. Washington, DC.