Print Report
CEGL006011 Pinus taeda / Liquidambar styraciflua - Acer rubrum / Vaccinium stamineum Ruderal Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Loblolly Pine / Sweetgum - Red Maple / Deerberry Ruderal Forest
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Loblolly Pine / Sweetgum - Red Maple Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This wide-ranging association is most common from the Piedmont of Virginia, through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, likely extending throughout the adjacent Coastal Plain. A large amount of variability exists in species composition and density due to geographic and disturbance factors. It represents stands in which Pinus taeda is the monospecific dominant tree in the overstory. Stands typically have more-or-less closed canopies, understories dominated by fire-intolerant hardwoods, and shrub-dominated lower strata. These are generally early- to mid-successional forests where the pines have reached tree size (as opposed to saplings) and have been established for a long enough period to have developed a closed canopy. Below the canopy of Pinus taeda, a well-developed subcanopy of hardwoods is present. Acer rubrum var. rubrum and Liquidambar styraciflua are often the dominant species in the subcanopy. If significant numbers of these species enter the canopy, the stand would instead be classified as ~Pinus taeda - Liquidambar styraciflua Ruderal Forest (CEGL008462)$$. Although this forest may result from a planted stand [see ~Pinus taeda Forest Plantation (CST007179)$$], it is distinguished from young pine plantations by tree height and the formation of distinct stratal layers, especially a well-developed subcanopy. This type may also develop following site preparation, with or without site conversion, and following agriculture.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The similarity of this association with ~Pinus taeda - Liquidambar styraciflua Ruderal Forest (CEGL008462)$$ suggests that a merge with that type should be considered.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The tree canopy of Pinus taeda is at least 60% but may be considerably more dense, up to and including closed canopies. Tree subcanopy density varies with stand disturbance history but generally is <50%. Shrub and herb layer coverages do not exceed 25% and decrease with increasing age of the stand. Other species of pine, especially Pinus echinata and Pinus virginiana may be sparingly present in the canopy. Other species that may be present in the subcanopy in addition to Liquidambar styraciflua and Acer rubrum var. rubrum include Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, Nyssa sylvatica, Carya glabra, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Diospyros virginiana, Prunus serotina, Cornus florida, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Sassafras albidum (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Other species in addition to Vaccinium stamineum that may be present in the shrub stratum include Juniperus virginiana, Vaccinium arboreum, Rhus copallinum, Gaylussacia baccata, Callicarpa americana, and probably others. The herbaceous layer usually forms <5% cover and contains such species as Gelsemium sempervirens, Chimaphila maculata, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Potentilla canadensis. An example from Oconee National Forest has a thinned canopy and grassy herbaceous layer. The exotic Lonicera japonica may be common within occurrences of this community.
Dynamics: As Pinus taeda plantations mature, they are likely to develop into this community depending on management. The pine component initially outgrows the hardwoods and typically reaches the canopy first. Hardwoods rapidly fill in and reach the subcanopy if not aggressively suppressed though management. Although stands of this forest are most commonly related to forest management, they may also develop following agriculture on old, abandoned fields adjacent to a significant seed source of Pinus taeda.
Environmental Description: This forest follows agricultural cropping or silvicultural site preparation on a variety of sites, and presumably is more likely on moderately dissected topography where fire is a rare occurrence. This community usually is not present on steep slopes and does not occur on wet soils. It occurs on well- to moderately well-drained soils, usually Ultisols, on sites that formerly were under hardwood cover or subjected to agriculture.
Geographic Range: This forest ranges from the Piedmont of Virginia, through North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, extending into the adjacent coastal plains, including the eastern end of the Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain (e.g., Talladega National Forest).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, DE, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686708
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D006 | 1.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Na.90 Sweetgum - Loblolly Pine - Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M305 | 1.B.1.Na.90 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.90.a Loblolly Pine - Sweetgum - Chinese Tallow Ruderal Forest Group | G031 | 1.B.1.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A3231 Loblolly Pine - Tuliptree - Sweetgum Ruderal Forest Alliance | A3231 | 1.B.1.Na.90.a |
| Association | CEGL006011 Loblolly Pine / Sweetgum - Red Maple / Deerberry Ruderal Forest | CEGL006011 | 1.B.1.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IF3b. Plantation (Hardwood or Conifer) (Allard 1990)
? Loblolly Pine (21) (USFS 1988)
< Loblolly Pine - Hardwood: 82 (Eyre 1980)
< Loblolly Pine: 81 (Eyre 1980)
? Loblolly Pine (21) (USFS 1988)
< Loblolly Pine - Hardwood: 82 (Eyre 1980)
< Loblolly Pine: 81 (Eyre 1980)
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