Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - Blackgum species - Sweetgum - Water Oak / Royal Fern species Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Wooded Seep

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This community develops at the base of sloped terraces, on the edges of floodplain terraces, on the floodplain-upland margin, on the edges of large mima mounds, and in an attenuated fashion along floodplain drainages on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas, adjacent Oklahoma, and possibly adjacent Louisiana. Canopy structure is variable but usually different to surrounding forest due to common tree falls. The canopy is usually shorter, often shrubby, and frequently relatively open with few large trees. The soil is saturated or the water table near the surface throughout the year. The soils are shallow mucks with a relatively deep organic layer. These seeps would be subject to fire depending on topographic locations under historic conditions. All known examples are fire-suppressed. Examples of this community are known from Big Cypress Unique Area, Lorance Creek Natural Area, Moro Bottoms Natural Area, and Pine Bluff Arsenal Old Growth Area. This community is known from Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Saline counties, Arkansas. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. These seeps are likely found throughout the Ouachita River Basin. Acer rubrum, not always identifiable to var. drummondii, is always present, although it does not always dominate (or even reach) the canopy. The overstory is highly variable but usually includes some combination of the following: Ilex opaca, Liquidambar styraciflua (common), Nyssa biflora (sporadic distribution), Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus nigra, and Quercus phellos. The understory often includes Carpinus caroliniana and saplings of the overstory trees. The shrub layer is diverse and can include Cornus obliqua, Crataegus marshallii, Hamamelis virginiana, Itea virginica, Styrax grandifolius, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium fuscatum, and Viburnum sp. Woody vines are common and may include Berchemia scandens, Smilax bona-nox, Smilax rotundifolia, and Vitis rotundifolia. Osmunda cinnamomea and Osmunda regalis usually dominate the herbaceous layer and are indicative of seep conditions. Other ferns usually include Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Onoclea sensibilis, Pteridium aquilinum, and Woodwardia areolata. Other herbaceous species may include Carex debilis, Carex intumescens, Carex louisianica, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Commelina virginica, Hypericum hypericoides, and Saururus cernuus. Sphagnum sp. is the ground cover. The herbaceous layer is dense even under low light conditions.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: There doesn''t seem to be a place for these floodplain, upland-floodplain edge, and upland-swamp edge seeps. They are usually only a few acres in extant and are sometimes linear. This is not an upland seep which is more graminoid and fire-dependent. Although not a rare community, it is threatened by silvicultural practices including land leveling and bedding.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available