Print Report
CEGL007563 Chamaecyparis thyoides - (Liriodendron tulipifera) / Lyonia lucida Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Atlantic White-cedar - (Tuliptree) / Shining Fetterbush Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Sandhills Atlantic White-cedar Streamside Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest, found along streams or at seepages in the Fall-line Sandhills, is usually dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides, but possesses a mixed-species canopy with Liriodendron tulipifera usually present. It is found in the Sandhills area of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, but is possible on the outer coastal terraces of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The ground surface has little exposed soil. The community is not flood-prone, nor exposed to frequent fire. It occurs at seepage areas where water infiltration is impeded by an impervious clay layer and therefore flows out where the hardpan intersects the soil surface, usually on a slope and often creating a streamhead. The community also occurs at streamsides of small blackwater streams. Soils are generally acidic and saturated throughout the year and often are of the Torhunta (Typic Humaquept) and Johnston (Cumulic Humaquept) series. The canopy contains Chamaecyparis thyoides, with Liriodendron tulipifera, Pinus serotina, Pinus taeda, Nyssa biflora, and Acer rubrum. The subcanopy contains Persea palustris and Magnolia virginiana. The shrub stratum is tall and includes Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida, and Vaccinium formosum. Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax laurifolia and Smilax rotundifolia are extremely frequent in most occurrences. Arundinaria tecta is common. Herbaceous species that may be present include Drosera capillaris, Drosera rotundifolia, Sarracenia flava, Sarracenia rubra, Peltandra virginica, Mayaca fluviatilis, and Orontium aquaticum. Sphagnum spp. are also present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community type occurs along the northern and southern forks of the Edisto River in South Carolina.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest is usually dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides, but possesses a mixed species canopy with Liriodendron tulipifera usually present. The canopy contains Chamaecyparis thyoides, with Liriodendron tulipifera, Pinus serotina, Pinus taeda, Nyssa biflora, and Acer rubrum. The subcanopy contains Persea palustris and Magnolia virginiana. The shrub stratum is tall and includes Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida, and Vaccinium formosum. Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax laurifolia and Smilax rotundifolia are extremely frequent in most occurrences. Arundinaria tecta (= Arundinaria gigantea ssp. tecta) is common. Herbaceous species that may be present include Drosera capillaris, Drosera rotundifolia, Sarracenia flava, Sarracenia rubra, Peltandra virginica, Mayaca fluviatilis and Orontium aquaticum. Sphagnum spp. are also present. Wetlands dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides may be refugia for nationally or locally rare, endangered or threatened species. The swamps in the southern portion of the range may provide habitat areas for species that normally occur farther north (Laderman 1989).
Dynamics: Occasional inundation may occur, but this is not a flood-prone community. Fires are very infrequent, but are possibly necessary for regeneration of the type. Natural fire and hydrologic regimes need to be maintained for successful regeneration and maintenance of this community. It is very susceptible to major disruptions in hydrology; rapid, prolonged change in water depth kills Chamaecyparis thyoides seedlings and stresses or kills mature specimens. Leaf litter and woody debris should not be too dense in order for the shade-intolerant Chamaecyparis thyoides seedlings to survive. In the absence of fire and adequate gap regeneration, succession often leads to development of a bay forest dominated by Magnolia virginiana, Persea palustris and Gordonia lasianthus.
Environmental Description: This forest, found along streams or at seepages in the Fall-line Sandhills, is usually dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides, but possesses a mixed species canopy with Liriodendron tulipifera usually present. It is found in the Sandhills area of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, but is possible on the outer coastal terraces of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. The ground surface has little exposed soil. The community is not flood-prone, nor exposed to frequent fire. This association occurs at seepage areas where water infiltration is impeded by an impervious clay layer and therefore flows out where the hardpan intersects the soil surface - usually on a slope and often creating a streamhead. The community also occurs at streamsides of small blackwater streams. Soils are generally acidic and saturated throughout the year, and often are of the Torhunta (Typic Humaquept) and Johnston (Cumulic Humaquept) series.
Geographic Range: This forest is found along streams or seepages in the Fall-line Sandhills area and on the outer coastal terraces of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, NC, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686947
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.3 Sweetbay - Swamp Bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M032 | 1.B.3.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a Sweetbay - Loblolly-bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Group | G037 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A0196 Atlantic White-cedar Swamp Forest Alliance | A0196 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007563 Atlantic White-cedar - (Tuliptree) / Shining Fetterbush Swamp Forest | CEGL007563 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Atlantic White-Cedar: 97 (Eyre 1980)
? Atlantic white cedar (66) (USFS 1988)
< IIA2b. Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Forest (Allard 1990)
= Streamhead Atlantic White Cedar Forest (Schafale and Weakley 1990)
< White cedar (Clewell and Ward 1987)
? Atlantic white cedar (66) (USFS 1988)
< IIA2b. Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Forest (Allard 1990)
= Streamhead Atlantic White Cedar Forest (Schafale and Weakley 1990)
< White cedar (Clewell and Ward 1987)
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