Print Report
CEGL005131 Quercus muehlenbergii - Juniperus virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Manfreda virginica Wooded Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: This limestone glade or barrens community is found in the central and eastern United States on gentle to steep slopes of hills, knobs, ridges, bluffs along streams, and broad terraces. Grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Aristida spp., and Sporobolus compositus. Scattered trees include Quercus muehlenbergii and Juniperus virginiana.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chinquapin Oak - Eastern Red-cedar / Little Bluestem - False Aloe Wooded Grassland
Colloquial Name: Central Limestone Glade
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This limestone glade or barrens community is found in the central and eastern United States. Stands occur on gentle to steep slopes of hills, knobs, ridges, bluffs along streams, and broad terraces. Aspect is variable, but this vegetation is generally best developed on southern and western exposures. Parent material is limestone, cherty limestone, dolomite, or calcareous shale which is exposed at the surface, resulting in a very shallow, well-drained substrate. Soils are neutral to alkaline, shallow to moderately deep, and contain a homogenous mixture of rock fragments of various sizes. Herbaceous cover is very uneven, ranging from very dense in some areas to absent in others. Some dominant or characteristic grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Aristida spp., and Sporobolus compositus. In deeper soil areas Andropogon gerardii may be present. At some sites Bouteloua curtipendula is present, but it may be rare or absent at others. Forbs vary in dominance by site. Quercus muehlenbergii and Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana can form a sparse canopy. Quercus stellata may be common in parts of the range. Other scattered trees which may be present include Cercis canadensis, Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus velutina, Quercus alba, Quercus marilandica, and Liriodendron tulipifera. The subcanopy is absent or very sparse. Commonly encountered shrubs include Celtis tenuifolia, Cornus florida, Ulmus alata, Rhus aromatica, Rhus copallinum, and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. This vegetation may exist as more extensive areas, or in some southeastern cases, it may be limited to a narrow zone between vegetation dominated by woody plants and that dominated by annual grasses.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In Indiana, Quercus stellata is typical, Bouteloua curtipendula is rare, and Sorghastrum nutans is common. In Illinois, Sorghastrum nutans is more common than Bouteloua curtipendula. This type was developed in the Midwest and attributed to various southeastern states. Its relation to other eastern and southeastern alkaline glades needs further investigation. In Tennessee, this community might be called a limestone barren, as the term "glade" is restricted to bedrock-defined openings that are mostly flat, pavement-like, and dominated by annual grasses rather than perennial ones. In Indiana, this community is commonly called a cedar glade because stands of Juniperus virginiana border many of the sites of the community. Juniperus virginiana, which occurs with Quercus stellata, was probably rare in this community before the time of European settlement and consequent fire suppression. ~Quercus muehlenbergii - Quercus (alba, velutina) - (Juniperus virginiana) Driftless Bluff Woodland (CEGL002144)$$ is the more northern equivalent of this type. In southeastern Ohio, this type also contains a distinctive zone tracked as a separate type, the ~Juniperus virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Silphium terebinthinaceum var. luciae-brauniae - Carex juniperorum - Castilleja coccinea Wooded Grassland (CEGL004464)$$. In Kentucky, examples of the xeric Central Limestone Glade are restricted to unusual geologic conditions (outcrops and shallow soil over limestone) and are widely scattered in the central part of the state.
In the Ozark Hills region of southern Illinois, a variant of this type occurs on very steep slopes. The herbaceous layer is quite variable because of soil erosion.
In the Ozark Hills region of southern Illinois, a variant of this type occurs on very steep slopes. The herbaceous layer is quite variable because of soil erosion.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Structural variation within this community is expressed as a mosaic of exposed bedrock, boulders, large/small rocks, gravel, and rarely sand, interspersed and mixed with loess deposits. Soil depth and available water are limiting edaphic factors within this ecosystem. Tall shrub 0.5-5 m and vine/liana 0-2 m tall.
Floristics: Herbaceous cover is very uneven, ranging from very dense in some areas to absent in others. Some dominant or characteristic grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Aristida spp., and Sporobolus compositus. In deeper soil areas Andropogon gerardii may be present. At some sites Bouteloua curtipendula is present, but it may be rare or absent at others. Forbs vary in dominance by site and include Asclepias verticillata, Comandra umbellata, Coreopsis tripteris, Croton monanthogynus, Echinacea simulata, Galactia regularis, Hexalectris spicata, Helianthus divaricatus, Helianthus hirsutus, Hypericum dolabriforme, Hypericum sphaerocarpum, Euphorbia corollata, Gaura spp., Lespedeza hirta, Lespedeza virginica, Liatris aspera, Liatris cylindracea, Liatris squarrosa, Leavenworthia exigua var. exigua, Lithospermum canescens, Lobelia spicata var. leptostachys, Manfreda virginica, Matelea obliqua, Ophioglossum engelmannii, Physostegia virginiana, Ratibida pinnata, Rudbeckia hirta, Ruellia humilis, Sabatia angularis, Scutellaria parvula, Silphium trifoliatum, Solidago nemoralis, Verbesina helianthoides, Verbesina virginica, and Zizia aptera. Quercus muehlenbergii and Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana can form a sparse canopy. Quercus stellata may be common in parts of the range. Other scattered trees which may be present include Cercis canadensis, Fraxinus quadrangulata, Quercus velutina, Quercus alba, Quercus marilandica, and Liriodendron tulipifera. The subcanopy is absent or very sparse. Commonly encountered shrubs include Celtis tenuifolia, Cornus florida, Ulmus alata, Rhus aromatica, Rhus copallinum, and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. This vegetation may exist as more extensive areas, or in some southeastern cases, it may be limited to a more narrow zone between vegetation dominated by woody plants and that dominated by annual grasses (TNC 1995a, D. Minney pers. comm. 2000).
This is an edaphic climax natural community. Physiognomic and floristic variability within and among occurrences of this type are a result of effective soil depth and available water. Drainage related to soil physical properties (stoniness, fragipan) greatly influences the floristic variability of this community. Species diversity is variable and directly proportional to the depth of the soil and water availability. In the Ozark Hills region of southern Illinois, a variant of this type occurs on very steep slopes. The herbaceous layer is quite variable because of soil erosion.
This is an edaphic climax natural community. Physiognomic and floristic variability within and among occurrences of this type are a result of effective soil depth and available water. Drainage related to soil physical properties (stoniness, fragipan) greatly influences the floristic variability of this community. Species diversity is variable and directly proportional to the depth of the soil and water availability. In the Ozark Hills region of southern Illinois, a variant of this type occurs on very steep slopes. The herbaceous layer is quite variable because of soil erosion.
Dynamics: Natural disturbance includes periodic fire, wind, storm, and drought. This community is usually wet in early spring and very dry during summer and fall. Environmental extremes, including rapidly drained, thin, stony soils, summer droughts lasting 3-5 weeks or more, and limited water availability for most of the growing season, favor the establishment of this association. Periodic fire may help to maintain this community, especially after disturbance from logging or grazing. Fire suppression encourages a transition from woodland to forest. Prior to their disappearance, herds of elk, deer, and bison once roamed these hills, and their grazing and browsing provided a primary mechanism for maintaining the "barrens" or glade character (Hall 1970). Fire also periodically swept through these barrens, killing woody vegetation and encouraging herbaceous growth. Drought stress is prevalent, and openings are occasionally enlarged when trees are removed by wind or lightning.
Environmental Description: This community occurs on gentle to steep slopes of hills, knobs, ridges, bluffs along streams, and broad terraces. Aspect is variable, but the community is generally best developed on south- and southwest-facing slopes. This aspect causes frequent periods of freeze and thaw resulting in erosion and mass-wasting (TNC 1995a). Aspect also contributes to summer temperatures well in excess of cooler and wetter north- and east-facing slopes. Parent material is limestone, cherty limestone, dolomite, or calcareous shale which is exposed at the surface, resulting in a very shallow, well-drained substrate. Soils are neutral to alkaline, shallow to moderately deep, and contain a homogenous mixture of rock fragments of various sizes. Although predominantly droughty and excessively drained, these sites can be seasonally wet, and water is occasionally ponded in shallow depressions.
Substrate information was collected from cores and pits. County soil maps were also consulted. Soils which support this community are stony, shallow, neutral to alkaline, and primarily composed of weathered mineral matter, loess, and organic debris which collects in cracks and crevices of the bedrock. Organic matter is low, and there is little or no horizon development. These soils are extremely susceptible to erosion and are nutrient-poor. Soil types were gathered from a General Soils Map of Illinois (Fehrenbacher et al. 1982). Soils are neutral to alkaline, shallow to moderately deep, and contain a homogenous mixture of rock fragments of various sizes. Grantsburg-Robbs-Wellston, Hosmer-Stoy-Weir, Stookey-Alford-Muren, Wellston-Berks, Zanesville, Muskingum, Berks, Berks-Wellston, Limestone Rock Land fine-silty (some loamy skeletal), mixed (some montmorillonitic), mesic Typic Hapludalfs, Aquic Hapludalfs, Ultic Hapludalfs, Typic Fragiudalfs, Alfisols, Inceptisols. Parent material is limestone, cherty limestone, dolomite, or calcareous shale which is exposed at the surface, resulting in a very shallow, well-drained substrate. The community primarily occurs on limestone, precipitated by the Genevievian and Chesterian seas during Mississippian Deposition, which is often interbedded in sandstone and shale.
Substrate information was collected from cores and pits. County soil maps were also consulted. Soils which support this community are stony, shallow, neutral to alkaline, and primarily composed of weathered mineral matter, loess, and organic debris which collects in cracks and crevices of the bedrock. Organic matter is low, and there is little or no horizon development. These soils are extremely susceptible to erosion and are nutrient-poor. Soil types were gathered from a General Soils Map of Illinois (Fehrenbacher et al. 1982). Soils are neutral to alkaline, shallow to moderately deep, and contain a homogenous mixture of rock fragments of various sizes. Grantsburg-Robbs-Wellston, Hosmer-Stoy-Weir, Stookey-Alford-Muren, Wellston-Berks, Zanesville, Muskingum, Berks, Berks-Wellston, Limestone Rock Land fine-silty (some loamy skeletal), mixed (some montmorillonitic), mesic Typic Hapludalfs, Aquic Hapludalfs, Ultic Hapludalfs, Typic Fragiudalfs, Alfisols, Inceptisols. Parent material is limestone, cherty limestone, dolomite, or calcareous shale which is exposed at the surface, resulting in a very shallow, well-drained substrate. The community primarily occurs on limestone, precipitated by the Genevievian and Chesterian seas during Mississippian Deposition, which is often interbedded in sandstone and shale.
Geographic Range: This limestone glade or barrens community is found in the central and eastern United States, ranging from southern Illinois, Indiana and southeast Ohio eastward to Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia and western Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, IL, IN, KY, OH, TN, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687705
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.3 Little Bluestem - Dropseed species Central Interior Calcareous Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M508 | 2.B.2.Nc.3 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.3.b Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama - Diamond-flowers Central Glade & Barrens Group | G179 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.b |
| Alliance | A1919 Eastern Red-cedar / Little Bluestem - Sideoats Grama Alkaline Bedrock Scrub Grassland Alliance | A1919 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.b |
| Association | CEGL005131 Chinquapin Oak - Eastern Red-cedar / Little Bluestem - False Aloe Wooded Grassland | CEGL005131 | 2.B.2.Nc.3.b |
Concept Lineage: CEGL006239 covered in the concept of CEGL005131 (2013); CEGL004014 & CEGL004071 merged into this association (1998).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Juniperus virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua curtipendula - Sisyrinchium albidum - Packera millefolia Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (Fleming pers. comm.)
= Quercus muehlenbergii - Juniperus virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Manfreda virginica Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
? Barrens type (Hutchison et al. 1986) [is sometimes treated broadly as a barrens type]
? Barrens type (Hutchison 1994) [is sometimes treated broadly as a barrens type]
< Central and Eastern Grassland and Forest Combinations: 83: Cedar Glades (Quercus-Juniperus-Sporobolus) (Küchler 1964)
< Eastern Redcedar: 46 (Eyre 1980)
< Post Oak - Blackjack Oak: 40 (Eyre 1980)
? Xeric Limestone Prairie (Baskin et al. 1994)
= Quercus muehlenbergii - Juniperus virginiana / Schizachyrium scoparium - Manfreda virginica Wooded Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
? Barrens type (Hutchison et al. 1986) [is sometimes treated broadly as a barrens type]
? Barrens type (Hutchison 1994) [is sometimes treated broadly as a barrens type]
< Central and Eastern Grassland and Forest Combinations: 83: Cedar Glades (Quercus-Juniperus-Sporobolus) (Küchler 1964)
< Eastern Redcedar: 46 (Eyre 1980)
< Post Oak - Blackjack Oak: 40 (Eyre 1980)
? Xeric Limestone Prairie (Baskin et al. 1994)
- Baskin, J. M., C. C. Baskin, and E. W. Chester. 1994. The Big Barrens Region of Kentucky and Tennessee: Further observations and considerations. Castanea 59:226-254.
- Baskin, J. M., and C. C. Baskin. 1982. Draft of chapter for Kentucky''s Natural Heritage Program. University of Kentucky, Lexington.
- Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009b. Classification of selected Virginia montane wetland groups. In-house analysis, December 2009. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
- Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
- Fralish, J. S. 1987. Forest stand basal area and its relationship to individual soil and topographic factors in the Shawnee Hills. Transactions of the Illinois Academy of Science 80(3 and 4):183-194.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Heikens, A. L., K. A. West, and P. A. Robertson. 1994. Short-term response of chert and shale barrens vegetation to fire in southwestern Illinois. Castanea 59(3):274-285.
- Heikens, A. L., and P. A. Robertson. 1994. Barrens of the Midwest: A review of the literature. Castanea 59(3):184-194.
- Homoya, M. A. 1994. Indiana barrens: Classification and description. Castanea 59(3):204-213.
- Hutchison, M. D. 1994. The barrens of the Midwest: An historical perspective. Castanea 59(3):195-203.
- Hutchison, M. D., S. Olson, and T. Vogt. 1986. A survey of the barrens region in Massac and Pope counties, Illinois. Unpublished survey. 63 pp.
- INHDC [Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center]. No date. Indiana Natural Heritage Data Center, Division of Nature Preserves, Department of Natural Resources, Indianapolis.
- Küchler, A. W. 1964. Potential natural vegetation of the conterminous United States. American Geographic Society Special Publication 36. New York, NY. 116 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Minney, D. Personal communication. The Nature Conservancy, Ohio Chapter, Dublin.
- Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.
- Nordman, C. 2004a. Vascular plant community classification for Stones River National Battlefield. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 64 pp. plus appendices and CD.
- ONHD [Ohio Natural Heritage Database]. No date. Vegetation classification of Ohio and unpublished data. Ohio Natural Heritage Database, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus.
- Pyne, M., E. Lunsford Jones, and R. White. 2010. Vascular plant inventory and plant community classification for Mammoth Cave National Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 334 pp.
- Quarterman, E., and R. L. Powell. 1978. Potential ecological/geological landmarks of the interior low plateaus. Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. 739 pp.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1995a. A classification and description of plant communities in southern Illinois. Report by the Southern Illinois Field Office, Ullin, IL, and the Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN.
- Voigt, J. W., and R. H. Mohlenbrock. 1964. Plant communities of southern Illinois. Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale. 202 pp.
- White, J., and M. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 311-405 in: Natural Areas Inventory technical report: Volume I, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana, IL.