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CEGL008418 Quercus stellata - Quercus similis - Quercus marilandica Saline Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - Bottomland Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Saline Woodland
Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Saline Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This edaphically controlled oak woodland occurs on saline-sodic soils of alluvial origin in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain and Mississippi River Alluvial Plain of Arkansas and Louisiana. The topsoil is thin silt with high levels of sodium and/or magnesium salts in the subsoil. Although the subsoil is silt, it is essentially cemented into an impervious hardpan by calcium. Sites therefore alternate between extremely dry and extremely wet, a condition that has been described as "xerohydric." On the edges of sites, where the soil is deeper, this community grades into hardwood or pine - hardwood forest, depending on the ecoregion and local matrix communities. This woodland may occupy a narrow ecotone, grading into a thinner-soiled herbaceous community, or it may cover tens of acres. Quercus stellata, Quercus similis, and Quercus marilandica may be the only tree species present. Trees are typically stunted, ranging from 5-10 m in height. Ground layer flora on thin-soil sites may be limited to Cladonia spp. lichens, or on thicker-soil sites Aristida longespica, other Aristida spp., or Schizachyrium scoparium. Sabal minor is common in occurrences on the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The role of fire in maintaining this community is not understood.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Both this woodland type and ~Aristida longespica - Schizachyrium scoparium - Diodia teres Saline Grassland (CEGL008419)$$ are closely related and may intergrade spatially. They are also related to shrubland type ~Baccharis halimifolia - Crataegus berberifolia / Eleocharis sp. - Tridens strictus - Euthamia leptocephala Shrubland (CEGL003904)$$ and an as-yet-undefined herbaceous association which is likely very similar to either ~Bigelowia nuttallii - Aristida dichotoma - Houstonia rosea / Cladonia spp. Grassland (CEGL004274)$$ and/or ~Eleocharis sp. - Iva angustifolia - Distichlis spicata Grassland (CEGL004171)$$, which are currently described from related habitats in Louisiana.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Quercus stellata, Quercus similis, and Quercus marilandica may be the only tree species present. Trees are typically stunted, ranging from 5-10 m in height. Ground layer flora on thin-soil sites may be limited to Cladonia spp. lichens, or on thicker-soil sites Aristida longespica, other Aristida spp., or Schizachyrium scoparium. Sabal minor is common in occurrences on the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Dynamics: Some areas may support relatively frequent fire; others are too thinly vegetated to carry a fire.
Environmental Description: This woodland occurs on saline-sodic soils of alluvial origin in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain and Mississippi River Alluvial Plain of Arkansas and Louisiana. The topsoil is thin silt with high levels of sodium and/or magnesium salts in the subsoil. Although the subsoil is silt, it is essentially cemented into an impervious hardpan by calcium. Sites therefore alternate between extremely dry and extremely wet, a condition that has been described as "xerohydric."
Geographic Range: This type is apparently restricted to the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain and Mississippi River Alluvial Plain of Arkansas and Louisiana.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, LA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686270
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.c White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G159 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3290 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - White Oak Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance | A3290 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL008418 Post Oak - Bottomland Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Saline Woodland | CEGL008418 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < T5C3bI1a. Aristida spp. - Quercus stellata (Foti et al. 1994)
- Foti, T., M. Blaney, X. Li, and K. G. Smith. 1994. A classification system for the natural vegetation of Arkansas. Proceedings of the Arkansas Academy of Science 48:50-53.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.