Print Report
CEGL007194 Quercus shumardii - Fraxinus americana - Carya myristiciformis / Viburnum dentatum / Carex cherokeensis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shumard Oak - White Ash - Nutmeg Hickory / Southern Arrow-wood / Cherokee Sedge Forest
Colloquial Name: Keiffer Prairie Margin Oak-Ash-Hickory Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This West Gulf Coastal Plain calcareous forest is currently known only from the Keiffer Prairie Research Natural Area on the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana, but related vegetation may also be present on the Fleming geological formation in eastern Texas. It is described as the ''typical'' Keiffer forest surrounding open pockets of Keiffer Prairie herbaceous vegetation. This type is known only from soils mapped as Hollywood silty clay loam or Oktibbeha silt loam. The hardwood canopy is dominated by Carya myristiciformis, Fraxinus americana, and a strong woody vine stratum. Other associated species include Liquidambar styraciflua, Ulmus alata, Quercus shumardii, Quercus stellata, Pinus taeda, Frangula caroliniana, Cornus florida, Cornus drummondii, Cercis canadensis, Toxicodendron radicans, Berchemia scandens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Sanicula canadensis, Dichanthelium commutatum, Trepocarpus aethusae, and Galium circaezans.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The description was developed from plot data from Allen (1993c).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The deciduous canopy of this forest typically ranges from 60-100% cover and is dominated by Carya myristiciformis, Fraxinus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus shumardii, and Quercus stellata. Other canopy species include Quercus alba, Fagus grandifolia, Pinus taeda, and Pinus echinata. Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum) and Acer leucoderme may occur in the subcanopy. The patchy (approximately 10-30% cover) tall-shrub stratum (2-5 m high) is dominated by Cornus florida, Cornus drummondii, Ulmus alata, Fraxinus americana, Viburnum dentatum, Ilex decidua, Viburnum rufidulum, and Frangula caroliniana. The patchy (approximately 20-40% cover) short-shrub stratum (less than 2 m tall) is dominated by Viburnum dentatum, Frangula caroliniana, Cercis canadensis, and Cornus florida. Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium commutatum, and Carex cherokeensis are dominants in the sparse to patchy graminoid stratum. Other graminoids include Scleria oligantha and Dichanthelium boscii. Forbs include Sanicula canadensis, Trepocarpus aethusae, Galium circaezans, Symphyotrichum drummondii (= Aster drummondii), Spigelia marilandica, Oxalis violacea, Lithospermum tuberosum, Aristolochia serpentaria, Agrimonia microcarpa, and Ruellia humilis. Other calciphilic species associated with this community include Crataegus berberifolia, Crataegus crus-galli, Crataegus marshallii, Crataegus spathulata, Crataegus viridis, Gleditsia triacanthos, Juniperus virginiana, Aesculus pavia, and Ostrya virginiana (Smith et al. 1989, Allen 1993c). Solidago auriculata, the USFS sensitive species Taenidia integerrima, and the Louisiana state-rare Acer leucoderme are known from this forest (Smith et al. 1989).
Dynamics: This mesic community is somewhat topographically protected from fire, often occurring along small streams, and does not burn frequently. However, it does occur in a complex with more frequently burned herbaceous vegetation and historical fire intervals are currently unknown. This forest community may result from fire exclusion of ~Crataegus spathulata - Cornus drummondii - Berchemia scandens Shrubland (CEGL003879)$$.
Environmental Description: This mesic community has developed on Eocene age marly clays associated with an outcrop of the Cook Mountain geologic formation. The soils are mapped as Hollywood silty clay loams and Oktibbeha silt loams, although Vaiden and Bellwood soils may be present. These clayey soils are generally slightly acidic to circumneutral in the surface layer, with basic subsoil. They possess high shrink-swell characteristics. Relief ranges from gently rolling to highly dissected; this community occurs on some low ridges and side slopes, where frequently the upper acidic clay soil has eroded away exposing a stiff, calcareous clay at the surface. This forest is adjacent to herbaceous openings and often flanks small upland streams (Smith et al. 1989, Martin and Smith 1991, Allen 1993c).
Geographic Range: This West Gulf Coastal Plain calcareous forest is currently known only from the Keiffer Prairie Research Natural Area on the Kisatchie National Forest, Louisiana, but may also be present on the Sam Houston National Forest in eastern Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: LA, TX?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684592
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1Q
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.3 American Beech - Southern Magnolia - White Oak Forest Macrogroup | M008 | 1.B.1.Na.3 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.3.b American Beech - Southern Sugar Maple - White Oak Forest Group | G166 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
| Alliance | A3235 Shumard Oak - Cherrybark Oak - White Ash Coastal Plain Forest Alliance | A3235 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
| Association | CEGL007194 Shumard Oak - White Ash - Nutmeg Hickory / Southern Arrow-wood / Cherokee Sedge Forest | CEGL007194 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Calcareous Forest (Martin and Smith 1991)
< IA8b. Coastal Plain Calcareous Mesic Forest (Allard 1990)
= Typical Forest (Allen 1993c)
? White Oak (54) (USFS 1988)
< White Oak: 53 (Eyre 1980)
< IA8b. Coastal Plain Calcareous Mesic Forest (Allard 1990)
= Typical Forest (Allen 1993c)
? White Oak (54) (USFS 1988)
< White Oak: 53 (Eyre 1980)
- 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.
- Allen, C. 1993c. Ecological assessment of the forest vegetation of Keiffer Prairie Research Natural Area in the Kisatchie National Forest. Unpublished report. USDA Forest Service, Kisatchie National Forest, and Northeast Louisiana University, Alexandria. 60 pp.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- 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]
- Martin, D. L., and L. M. Smith. 1991. A survey and description of the natural plant communities of the Kisatchie National Forest, Winn and Kisatchie districts. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA. 372 pp.
- Smith, L. M., N. M. Gilmore, R. P. Martin, and G. D. Lester. 1989. Keiffer calcareous prairie/forest complex: A research report and preliminary management plan. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Natural Heritage Program, Baton Rouge. 44 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1988. Silvicultural examination and prescription field book. USDA Forest Service, Southern Region. Atlanta, GA. 35 pp.