Print Report
CEGL003750 Quercus virginiana - Quercus incana Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Live Oak - Bluejack Oak Woodland
Colloquial Name: Virginia Beach Xeric Dune Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This maritime woodland occurs primarily on back dunes that are somewhat protected from regular salt spray along the southeastern Virginia coast. Stands are codominated by Quercus virginiana and Quercus incana. Minor canopy species include Pinus taeda, Sassafras albidum, Quercus nigra, and Prunus serotina var. serotina.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this maritime woodland are dominated by low (4-8 m tall), multi-stemmed Quercus virginiana, with Quercus incana a constant, sometimes codominant associate. Short Quercus nigra, Pinus taeda, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Sassafras albidum, Prunus serotina, and Zanthoxylum clava-herculis occur at lower cover. Low-climbing and scrambling vines of Vitis rotundifolia, Smilax spp., and Parthenocissus quinquefolia are abundant. Physiognomy is typically a patchwork of dense woody thickets interspersed with small sandy openings covered by vines, Opuntia humifusa, or patchy herbaceous growth. Characteristic herbs include Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, Schizachyrium littorale, Cyperus grayi, Cirsium horridulum, Cnidoscolus urens var. stimulosus (= Cnidoscolus stimulosus), Galium hispidulum, and Dichanthelium ovale. Exotics and weedy natives, e.g., Heterotheca subaxillaris, Cenchrus tribuloides, and Conyza canadensis, are common in disturbed areas. Mean species richness of eight plot samples was only 13 taxa per 100 m2. Known stands have been heavily fragmented and disturbed by the construction of the park campground with roads, campsites, and bath facilities.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This maritime woodland occurs in extreme southeastern Virginia on low secondary dunes lying about 100 to 200 m from the beach and forming the transition between the open frontal dunes and forest. These dunes may be less stabilized than those farther back from the ocean and are definitely influenced by more frequent winds and salt spray. Soil moisture regime appears to be subxeric to xeric. The habitat grades into dune scrub and grassland on the ocean side, and into an evergreen forest dominated by Quercus virginiana and Pinus taeda on the inland side. The entire habitat at First Landing/Seashore State Park and Fort Story has been heavily disturbed by a park campground and military facilities. This type is one of the least common maritime forests in Virginia, occurring only on Cape Henry in the City of Virginia Beach.
Geographic Range: This maritime woodland is restricted to xeric dunes on Cape Henry in southeastern Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687755
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.2 Live Oak - Texas Live Oak - Darlington Oak Forest Macrogroup | M885 | 1.B.1.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.2.a Live Oak - Pignut Hickory - Cabbage Palmetto Coastal Forest Group | G798 | 1.B.1.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3192 Live Oak - Cabbage Palmetto Coastal Evergreen Forest Alliance | A3192 | 1.B.1.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL003750 Live Oak - Bluejack Oak Woodland | CEGL003750 | 1.B.1.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Clampitt, C. A. 1991. The upland plant communities of Seashore State Park, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Virginia Journal of Science 42:419-435.
- 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/]
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.