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CEGL007823 Fagus grandifolia - Quercus rubra - Tilia americana var. caroliniana / Magnolia tripetala / Podophyllum peltatum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Beech - Northern Red Oak - Carolina Basswood / Umbrella-tree / Mayapple Forest
Colloquial Name: Ozark Rich Beech - Mixed Hardwood Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association includes rich forests dominated by Fagus grandifolia in mixtures with other mesophytic hardwood species, in the Ouachita and Ozark mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma. This forest is found on sheltered slopes, ravines, and upper terraces, and can be associated with limestone geology. The closed forest canopy is dominated by Fagus grandifolia, usually with codominance by one or more of the following trees: Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, Fraxinus americana, and Magnolia acuminata. Other species that may be in the canopy, but not typically with high coverage, include Acer saccharum, Carya tomentosa, Carya cordiformis, Carya glabra, Juglans nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus velutina, and Ulmus rubra. Magnolia tripetala is often conspicuous in the subcanopy and shrub strata. Other typical subcanopy species are Ostrya virginiana, Cornus florida, Carpinus caroliniana, Morus rubra, and Hamamelis virginiana. The shrub stratum is open to moderately dense. Typical shrubs and woody vines include Asimina triloba, Lindera benzoin, Dirca palustris, Euonymus americanus, Hydrangea arborescens, Toxicodendron radicans, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. The herb stratum is lush and diverse, but can vary in composition from site to site, depending on soil fertility and past disturbance. Some typical species include Adiantum pedatum, Actaea pachypoda, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Brachyelytrum erectum, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Iris cristata, Podophyllum peltatum, Trillium sessile, Trillium viridescens, Prosartes lanuginosa, Panax quinquefolius, and Polystichum acrostichoides.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association has been described as an "unique Ozarkian assemblage" distinct from mixed mesophytic forests of the eastern United States and the Beech-Maple forests of the midwestern United States (USFS 1990). This association is known from Ozark and Ouachita national forests RNAs (Roaring Branch and Dismal Hollow). The Dismal Hollow occurrence (Newton County, Arkansas) is a particularly rich and exemplary example. The occurrence of this association in Oklahoma is restricted to La Flore and McCurtain counties. The composition of these forests suggest that they do not extend into the Missouri Ozarks and that they warrant a specific association.
In situations where this forest extends downslope onto cobble bars and streamside terraces, it may be compositionally similar to ~Liquidambar styraciflua - (Quercus alba, Acer saccharum) / Carpinus caroliniana / Lindera benzoin Floodplain Forest (CEGL007826)$$. ~Fagus grandifolia - Acer saccharum - Liriodendron tulipifera Unglaciated Forest (CEGL002411)$$ is somewhat compositionally similar to this association, but much more broadly defined and dominated by Acer saccharum, which is absent to insignificant in this association. ~Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba / Ilex opaca / Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides Forest (CEGL007208)$$ is a similar association defined for in the West Gulf Coastal of the southeastern United States. Two other rich forest types in the Arkansas Ozarks are ~Acer (floridanum, saccharum) - Juglans nigra - Fraxinus americana / Hybanthus concolor Forest (CEGL007811)$$ and ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - Carya cordiformis / Lindera benzoin Forest (CEGL002058)$$. These forests lack dominance by Fagus grandifolia and may be more calcareous than the association defined here.
In situations where this forest extends downslope onto cobble bars and streamside terraces, it may be compositionally similar to ~Liquidambar styraciflua - (Quercus alba, Acer saccharum) / Carpinus caroliniana / Lindera benzoin Floodplain Forest (CEGL007826)$$. ~Fagus grandifolia - Acer saccharum - Liriodendron tulipifera Unglaciated Forest (CEGL002411)$$ is somewhat compositionally similar to this association, but much more broadly defined and dominated by Acer saccharum, which is absent to insignificant in this association. ~Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba / Ilex opaca / Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides Forest (CEGL007208)$$ is a similar association defined for in the West Gulf Coastal of the southeastern United States. Two other rich forest types in the Arkansas Ozarks are ~Acer (floridanum, saccharum) - Juglans nigra - Fraxinus americana / Hybanthus concolor Forest (CEGL007811)$$ and ~Quercus alba - Quercus rubra - Acer saccharum - Carya cordiformis / Lindera benzoin Forest (CEGL002058)$$. These forests lack dominance by Fagus grandifolia and may be more calcareous than the association defined here.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The closed forest canopy is dominated by Fagus grandifolia, usually with codominance by one or more of the following trees: Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, Tilia americana var. caroliniana, Fraxinus americana, and Magnolia acuminata. Other species that may be in the canopy, but not typically with high coverage, include Acer saccharum, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya cordiformis, Carya glabra, Juglans nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus velutina, and Ulmus rubra. Magnolia tripetala is often conspicuous in the subcanopy and shrub strata. Other typical subcanopy species are Ostrya virginiana, Cornus florida, Carpinus caroliniana, Morus rubra, and Hamamelis virginiana. The shrub stratum is open to moderately dense. Typical shrubs and woody vines include Asimina triloba, Lindera benzoin, Dirca palustris, Euonymus americanus, Hydrangea arborescens, Toxicodendron radicans, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. The herb stratum is lush and diverse, but can vary in composition from site to site, depending on soil fertility and past disturbance. Some typical species include Adiantum pedatum, Actaea pachypoda, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Brachyelytrum erectum, Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Iris cristata, Podophyllum peltatum, Trillium sessile, Trillium viridescens, Prosartes lanuginosa, Panax quinquefolius, and Polystichum acrostichoides.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest is found on sheltered slopes, ravines, and upper terraces, and can be associated with limestone geology. It is an upland forest however, in situations where this forest extends downslope onto cobble bars and streamside terraces, it may be compositionally similar to ~Liquidambar styraciflua - (Quercus alba, Acer saccharum) / Carpinus caroliniana / Lindera benzoin Floodplain Forest (CEGL007826)$$, a temporarily flooded association.
Geographic Range: This community is found in the Ouachita and Ozark mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, OK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686756
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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.3 Appalachian-Interior-Northeastern Mesic Forest Macrogroup | M883 | 1.B.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.3.a American Beech - Tuliptree - Yellow Buckeye Forest Group | G020 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A2033 American Beech - Tuliptree - Bitternut Hickory Forest Alliance | A2033 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007823 American Beech - Northern Red Oak - Carolina Basswood / Umbrella-tree / Mayapple Forest | CEGL007823 | 1.B.2.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Fagus grandifolia - Nyssa sylvatica / Ostrya virginiana - Hamamelis virginiana / Parthenocissus quinquefolia / Carex spp. - Actaea alba Ravine Bottom Forest (Smith et al. 2000)
? Beech Type (BE) (Dale and Kuroda 1979)
? T1B4aI. Fagus grandifolia (Foti et al. 1994)
= T1B4aI1a. Fagus grandifolia / Magnolia tripetala (Foti et al. 1994)
? T1B4aI1b. Fagus grandifolia - Acer saccharum - Quercus spp. (alba, muehlenbergii, rubra) (Foti et al. 1994)
? Beech Type (BE) (Dale and Kuroda 1979)
? T1B4aI. Fagus grandifolia (Foti et al. 1994)
= T1B4aI1a. Fagus grandifolia / Magnolia tripetala (Foti et al. 1994)
? T1B4aI1b. Fagus grandifolia - Acer saccharum - Quercus spp. (alba, muehlenbergii, rubra) (Foti et al. 1994)
- Campbell, J. J. N., S. Walker, and D. Zollner. 1996. Technical assessment to: An ecological assessment of forest lands in Arkansas and Oklahoma proposed for inclusion into the Ouachita National Forest and Cossatot National Wildlife Refuge. Unpublished report by The Nature Conservancy. 114 pp.
- Dale, E. E., and P. M. Kuroda. 1979. Vegetation map and natural areas survey. Pages 77-82 of unspecified report [incomplete citation]. Includes USDI National Park Service memo and tables.
- 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.
- Fountain, M. S., and J. M. Sweeney. 1985. Ecological assessment of the Roaring Branch Research Natural Area. Research Paper SO-213. USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, LA. 15 pp.
- Hoagland, B. 2000. The vegetation of Oklahoma: A classification for landscape mapping and conservation planning. The Southwestern Naturalist 45(4):385-420.
- Hoagland, B. W. 1997. Preliminary plant community classification for Oklahoma. Unpublished draft document, version 35629. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 47 pp.
- Hop, K., M. Pyne, T. Foti, S. Lubinski, R. White, and J. Dieck. 2012a. National Park Service vegetation inventory program: Buffalo National River, Arkansas. Natural Resource Report NPS/HTLN/NRR--2012/526. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 340 pp.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Smith, S., D. Zollner, and S. Simon. 2000. Reassessment of Roaring Branch Research Natural Area. Unpublished technical report. The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Field Office, Little Rock.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1990. Establishment record for Dismal Hollow Research Natural Area within Ozark National Forest, Newton County, Arkansas. Unpublished document. USDA Forest Service, Ozark National Forest, Russellville, AR. 20 pp. plus map.
- Zanoni, T. A., P. G. Risser, and I. H. Butler. 1979. Natural areas for Oklahoma. Oklahoma Natural Heritage Program, Norman. 72 pp.