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CEGL002052 Quercus macrocarpa / Andropogon gerardii - Panicum virgatum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bur Oak / Big Bluestem - Switchgrass Woodland
Colloquial Name: Central Tallgrass Bur Oak Bottomland Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This bur oak woodland occurs in the central-western tallgrass prairie region of the United States. Stands occur in river valleys, where soils are deep, fertile, relatively mesic, and with a significant silt component. Drought is common in this community but the sheltered position in the valleys and the presence of a watercourse ameliorate the effects somewhat. The overstory of this community is dominated by short to moderately tall fire-resistant, deciduous trees. In Nebraska, the typical overstory was historically dominated by Quercus macrocarpa. Currently, in the absence of fire typical associates include Carya illinoinensis, Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Quercus macrocarpa, and Ulmus spp. There is often a short-shrub layer, but it is rarely extensive. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus and small trees make up this layer. The understory is composed of a mixture of woodland and grassland species, including Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, and Spartina pectinata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type may have a temporarily flooded hydrology.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory of this community is dominated by short to moderately tall fire-resistant, deciduous trees. In Nebraska, the typical overstory was historically dominated by Quercus macrocarpa. Currently, in the absence of fire, typical associates include Carya illinoinensis, Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana, Quercus macrocarpa, and Ulmus spp. There is often a short-shrub layer, but it is rarely extensive. Symphoricarpos orbiculatus and small trees make up this layer. The understory is composed of a mixture of woodland and grassland species, including Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, and Spartina pectinata (Lauver et al. 1999, Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003).
Dynamics: This community was historically dominated by tall, fire-resistant Quercus macrocarpa (Abrams 1986). In the absence of fire, there has been a marked shift to codominance by more fire-tolerant hardwoods (Abrams 1986).
Environmental Description: This community occurs in river valleys, on nearly level to gently sloping soils. Soils are deep, fertile and relatively mesic. They usually have a significant silt component. Drought is common in this community but the sheltered position in the valleys and the presence of a watercourse somewhat ameliorate the effects (Lauver et al. 1999, Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003).
Geographic Range: This bur oak woodland occurs in the central-western tallgrass prairie region of the United States, ranging from eastern Nebraska to possibly Oklahoma.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KS, NE, OK?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684876
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2
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.4 White Oak - Bur Oak - Shagbark Hickory Forest, Woodland & Savanna Macrogroup | M012 | 1.B.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.4.b North-Central Oak - Hickory Forest & Woodland Group | G649 | 1.B.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A0620 Bur Oak Central Tallgrass Woodland Alliance | A0620 | 1.B.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL002052 Bur Oak / Big Bluestem - Switchgrass Woodland | CEGL002052 | 1.B.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Celtis occidentalis - Quercus macrocarpa Type (Abrams 1986)
>< Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus muehlenbergii Type (Abrams 1986) [Abrams (1986) Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus muehlenbergii type may be too dry to fit this type, but no understory or soils data are given for his types.]
= Quercus macrocarpa / Andropogon gerardii - Panicum virgatum Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
< Lowland Bur Oak Forest (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
>< Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus muehlenbergii Type (Abrams 1986) [Abrams (1986) Quercus macrocarpa - Quercus muehlenbergii type may be too dry to fit this type, but no understory or soils data are given for his types.]
= Quercus macrocarpa / Andropogon gerardii - Panicum virgatum Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
< Lowland Bur Oak Forest (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
- Abrams, M. D. 1986. Historical development of gallery forests in northeast Kansas. Vegetatio 65:29-37.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Lauver, C. L., K. Kindscher, D. Faber-Langendoen, and R. Schneider. 1999. A classification of the natural vegetation of Kansas. The Southwestern Naturalist 44:421-443.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Rolfsmeier, S. B., and G. Steinauer. 2010. Terrestrial ecological systems and natural communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 228 pp.
- Steinauer, G., and S. Rolfsmeier. 2003. Terrestrial natural communities of Nebraska. (Version III - June 30, 2003). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln. 163 pp.