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CEGL008583 Quercus lyrata - Liquidambar styraciflua Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Overcup Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Georgia Fall-line Overcup Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This seasonally flooded forest is found in the floodplains of the Chattahoochee River of Alabama as well as in the floodplains of smaller Piedmont interface streams in Georgia. Stands are dominated by a variable combination of Quercus lyrata, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Quercus phellos. The use of Liquidambar styraciflua as a nominal indicates a shorter hydroperiod than stands with Quercus lyrata by itself. Occasional examples have a canopy dominated by Quercus phellos almost exclusively. One example on the Chattahoochee floodplain in Alabama on Fort Benning is dominated by Fraxinus pennsylvanica with lesser amounts of Quercus phellos. These are small-scale seasonally flooded depressions in a temporarily flooded bottomland that appear to flood more often as the result of rainfall accumulation rather than stream or river overflow. Quercus lyrata dominates the center of the depressions (the wettest areas) with Quercus phellos and Liquidambar styraciflua or Fraxinus pennsylvanica fringing the depressions. The open subcanopy is well-developed and contains Carpinus caroliniana, Acer rubrum, and Ulmus alata in addition to canopy species regeneration. Shrubs are sparse and include Ilex decidua and Rubus spp. Herbaceous vegetation is also sparse (<5% cover) and includes Carex spp. and Zephyranthes atamasca on small rises in the soil surface. The vast majority of the ground surface (95% or more) is covered by a combination of leaf detritus in various stages of decomposition, and exposed mud.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are dominated by a variable combination of Quercus lyrata, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Quercus phellos. The use of Liquidambar styraciflua as a nominal indicates a shorter hydroperiod than Quercus lyrata by itself. Occasional examples have a canopy dominated by Quercus phellos almost exclusively. One example on the Chattahoochee floodplain in Alabama on Fort Benning is dominated by Fraxinus pennsylvanica with lesser amounts of Quercus phellos. These are small-scale seasonally flooded depressions in a temporarily flooded bottomland that appear to flood more often as the result of rainfall accumulation rather than stream or river overflow. Quercus lyrata dominates the center of the depressions (the wettest areas) with Quercus phellos and Liquidambar styraciflua fringing the depressions. The open subcanopy is well-developed and contains Carpinus caroliniana, Acer rubrum, and Ulmus alata in addition to canopy species regeneration. Shrubs are sparse and include Ilex decidua and Rubus spp. Herbaceous vegetation is also sparse (<5% cover) and includes Carex spp. and Zephyranthes atamasca on small rises in the soil surface. The vast majority of the ground surface (95% or more) is covered by a combination of leaf detritus in various stages of decomposition, and exposed mud.
Dynamics: Prolonged seasonal flooding prevents the development of a continuous shrub and/or herb stratum. The ground surface is covered by a combination of decaying leaves and exposed mud; the herbaceous layer is sparse.
Environmental Description: This alliance occurs in small-scale seasonally flooded depressions of active floodplains that periodically receive overbank flooding but rely on rainfall for seasonal flooding.
Geographic Range: This type is described from the Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain of Alabama and adjacent Georgia, including the Piedmont. More information is needed on the complete range of the type and its relationship to similar vegetation.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685762
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M031 | 1.B.3.Nb.4 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a Swamp Chestnut Oak - Laurel Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest Group | G034 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
| Alliance | A3629 Overcup Oak - Willow Oak - Water Hickory Swamp Forest Alliance | A3629 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
| Association | CEGL008583 Overcup Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest | CEGL008583 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- ALNHP [Alabama Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data on file. Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Auburn University.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- 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.