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CEGL004062 Quercus marilandica - Juniperus virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Hypericum gentianoides Wooded Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Blackjack Oak - Eastern Red-cedar / Little Bluestem - Orange-grass Wooded Grassland
Colloquial Name: Shawnee Sandstone Glade
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This glade community is found in the Interior Low Plateau region of the midwestern United States, particularly in the Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southern Indiana. It occupies the upper slopes and ridgetops of south-facing bluffs and escarpments. Bedrock is sandstone, which occurs on the surface as massive outcrops, level benches, and boulders. The substrate is a strongly acidic silt loam, which is thin, poorly developed, and very well-drained (dry to xeric). Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata, and Juniperus virginiana are the dominant trees, which can be found scattered or in patches throughout the occurrence. These trees are generally small, stunted, and limby. The overstory cover seldom exceeds 50%, and the subcanopy is conspicuously thin or absent. Scattered individuals and patches of shrubs occur in this community, with Vaccinium arboreum and Ulmus alata the most commonly encountered. Schizachyrium scoparium, Danthonia spicata, Andropogon virginicus, and Dichanthelium spp. dominate the herbaceous layer, along with a diverse mixture of forbs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Concept of the type is that of a sandstone glade. Broadly speaking, this community is often referred to as a barrens (Hutchison 1994).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Structural variation within this sparse woodland is expressed as a mosaic of exposed bedrock, boulders, large/small rocks, gravel, and sand, interspersed and mixed with loess deposits. Soil depth and available water are limiting edaphic factors within this ecosystem. Tall shrubs are 0.5-5 m tall and vine/liana 0-2 m.
Floristics: This community is dominated by graminoid species with scattered Quercus marilandica and Juniperus virginiana. The patchiness and uneven distribution of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous vegetation is a response to thin infertile soils and droughty conditions. Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica, and Juniperus virginiana are the dominant trees, which can be found scattered or in patches throughout the occurrence. These trees are generally small, stunted, and limby. The overstory cover seldom exceeds 50%, and the subcanopy is conspicuously thin or absent. Scattered individual and patches of shrubs occur here, with Vaccinium arboreum and Ulmus alata the most commonly encountered. Schizachyrium scoparium, Danthonia spicata, Andropogon virginicus, and Dichanthelium spp. dominate the herbaceous layer, along with a diverse mixture of forbs. Toxicodendron radicans is present, but Smilax bona-nox is more indicative of conditions found in this sparse woodland community. Lichens and mosses are common on exposed bedrock surfaces and on soils not covered with organic debris (leaf litter, wood) (TNC 1995a).
This type is an edaphic climax natural community. Physiognomic variability and species diversity within and among occurrences of this dry-mesic sparse woodland community are directly proportional to the depth of the soil and water availability. Drainage related to soil physical properties (stoniness, fragipan) greatly influences the floristic variability of this community. Rangewide vegetative differences are apparent only in the herbaceous species, as woody dominance remains constant.
This type is an edaphic climax natural community. Physiognomic variability and species diversity within and among occurrences of this dry-mesic sparse woodland community are directly proportional to the depth of the soil and water availability. Drainage related to soil physical properties (stoniness, fragipan) greatly influences the floristic variability of this community. Rangewide vegetative differences are apparent only in the herbaceous species, as woody dominance remains constant.
Dynamics: Natural disturbance includes periodic fire, wind, storm, and drought. This community is usually wet in early spring and very dry during summer and fall. Environmental extremes, including rapidly drained, thin, stony soils, summer droughts lasting 3-5 weeks or more, and limited water availability for most of the growing season, favor the establishment of this glade association. Periodic fire may help to maintain this community, especially after disturbance from logging or grazing. Fire suppression encourages a transition from glade to woodland. Prior to their disappearance, herds of elk, deer, and buffalo roamed these hills, and their grazing and browsing provided a mechanism for maintaining the "barrens" or glade character (Hall 1970). Fire also periodically swept through, killing woody vegetation and encouraging herbaceous growth. Drought stress is prevalent, and openings are occasionally enlarged when trees are removed by wind or lightning.
Environmental Description: This community occurs primarily in the droughty environment of south- and southwest-facing slopes with thin, acidic soils which can erode easily. The southern aspect results in frequent periods of freeze and thaw and consequent erosion and mass-wasting. Aspect also contributes to summer temperatures well in excess of cooler and wetter north- and east-facing slopes.
Soils which support this community are stony, shallow and acidic, primarily consisting of weathered mineral matter, loess, and organic debris which collects in the cracks and crevices of bedrock. Organic matter is low. Bedrock is primarily Caseyville and Abbott sandstone formations (Merrowan and Atokan series) of the Pennsylvanian System. These soils are extremely susceptible to erosion and downslope migration especially on steeper slopes. All of these factors contribute to poor productivity and shallow root depth for vegetation. The substrate is a strongly acidic silt loam, which is thin, poorly developed, and very well-drained (dry to xeric). Although predominantly droughty and excessively drained, these sites can be seasonally wet, and water is occasionally ponded in shallow depressions.
Soils which support this community are stony, shallow and acidic, primarily consisting of weathered mineral matter, loess, and organic debris which collects in the cracks and crevices of bedrock. Organic matter is low. Bedrock is primarily Caseyville and Abbott sandstone formations (Merrowan and Atokan series) of the Pennsylvanian System. These soils are extremely susceptible to erosion and downslope migration especially on steeper slopes. All of these factors contribute to poor productivity and shallow root depth for vegetation. The substrate is a strongly acidic silt loam, which is thin, poorly developed, and very well-drained (dry to xeric). Although predominantly droughty and excessively drained, these sites can be seasonally wet, and water is occasionally ponded in shallow depressions.
Geographic Range: This glade community is found in the Interior Low Plateau region of the midwestern United States, particularly in the Shawnee Hills and Highland Rim sections of southern Illinois, western Kentucky, and southern Indiana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: IL, IN, KY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684371
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.2 Little Bluestem - Silky Oatgrass Acidic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M509 | 2.B.2.Nc.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.2.b Little Bluestem - Silky Oatgrass Acidic Glade & Barrens Group | G178 | 2.B.2.Nc.2.b |
| Alliance | A1920 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak / Little Bluestem Interior Acidic Bedrock Scrub Alliance | A1920 | 2.B.2.Nc.2.b |
| Association | CEGL004062 Blackjack Oak - Eastern Red-cedar / Little Bluestem - Orange-grass Wooded Grassland | CEGL004062 | 2.B.2.Nc.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus marilandica - Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Hypericum gentianoides Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
? Barrens (Hutchison 1994)
? Barrens type (Hutchison et al. 1986) [The term "barrens" is sometimes broadly used to include "glade" types.]
< Cedar Glade (Küchler 1964)
< Central and Eastern Grassland and Forest Combinations: 83: Cedar Glades (Quercus-Juniperus-Sporobolus) (Küchler 1964)
< Eastern Redcedar: 46 (Eyre 1980)
< Post Oak - Blackjack Oak: 40 (Eyre 1980)
? Barrens (Hutchison 1994)
? Barrens type (Hutchison et al. 1986) [The term "barrens" is sometimes broadly used to include "glade" types.]
< Cedar Glade (Küchler 1964)
< Central and Eastern Grassland and Forest Combinations: 83: Cedar Glades (Quercus-Juniperus-Sporobolus) (Küchler 1964)
< Eastern Redcedar: 46 (Eyre 1980)
< Post Oak - Blackjack Oak: 40 (Eyre 1980)
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