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CEGL007339 Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Quercus imbricaria Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Sycamore - Green Ash - Shingle Oak Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Montane Alluvial Forest (Cades Cove/Oconaluftee Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association was described from Cades Cove, a limestone window at 518 m (1700 feet) elevation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The description may need substantial revision with additional information. Similar vegetation could be found in Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, or Missouri. This community occurs on broad flats along streams, within a landscape of pastures and fields. It is impacted by cattle grazing. The forest has a closed canopy dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Acer negundo var. negundo, Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus imbricaria. In some areas the canopy is dominated by Quercus imbricaria and Prunus serotina, and in other areas it may be dominated by Juglans nigra or Juglans cinerea. The subcanopy stratum is sparse and primarily composed of canopy species. The shrub stratum is sparse. The herb layer includes Boehmeria cylindrica, Impatiens pallida, Verbesina alternifolia, Phacelia purshii, Packera aurea, Carex intumescens, Iris spp., and Carex spp. This alluvial forest can contain seasonally wet inclusions dominated by Juncus effusus, Panicum sp., and Festuca sp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association was described from Cades Cove, a limestone window at 518 m (1700 feet) elevation in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was also found at the opposite end of the park adjacent to the Oconaluftee River near the Qualla Boundary. This type is distinct from montane alluvial forests found at higher elevations and on acid substrates in the Blue Ridge, but may be similar to alluvial vegetation in the Ridge and Valley and farther west. Presently (2000-12) not attributed to the Ridge and Valley (TNC Ecoregion 50).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The forest has a closed canopy dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Acer negundo var. negundo, Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus imbricaria. In some areas the canopy is dominated by Quercus imbricaria and Prunus serotina. The subcanopy stratum is sparse and primarily composed of canopy species. The shrub stratum is sparse. The herb layer includes Boehmeria cylindrica, Verbesina alternifolia, Phacelia purshii, Packera aurea (= Senecio aureus), Carex intumescens, Iris spp., and Carex spp. This alluvial forest can contain seasonally wet inclusions dominated by Juncus effusus, Panicum sp., and Festuca sp.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community occurs on broad flats along streams, within a landscape of pastures and fields. It is impacted by cattle grazing.
Geographic Range: This association may be restricted to the Southern Blue Ridge, but its full range is not known and its relationship to other types is under review.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684920
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3702 American Sycamore - Sweetgum - Tuliptree Southern Appalachian Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3702 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL007339 American Sycamore - Green Ash - Shingle Oak Floodplain Forest | CEGL007339 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IIA6e. Southern Appalachian Alluvial Forest (Allard 1990)
- 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.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.