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CEGL007704 Juniperus virginiana / Rhus copallinum / Schizachyrium scoparium Ruderal Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern Red-cedar / Winged Sumac / Little Bluestem Ruderal Woodland
Colloquial Name: Highland Rim Barrens Ruderal Eastern Red-cedar Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents anthropogenic openings of the Eastern Highland Rim "Barrens" of Tennessee (and possibly other areas) dominated by scattered Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana and Rhus copallinum. The herbaceous stratum contains Schizachyrium scoparium and a diversity of other grasses and forbs. Other woody species that are often present in stands include Cornus florida, Vaccinium arboreum, Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, and Oxydendrum arboreum. Despite being surrounded by oak forests, oaks of any age are rarely found. Schizachyrium scoparium may comprise up to 90% of the ground cover. Common herbs include Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon virginicus, Andropogon gyrans, Gymnopogon ambiguus, Gymnopogon brevifolius, Dichanthelium aciculare, Tridens flavus, Panicum virgatum, Panicum anceps, Calamagrostis coarctata, Rhynchosia tomentosa, Tephrosia virginiana, Symphyotrichum dumosum, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Solidago odora, Eupatorium spp., and Lespedeza spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Described from Arnold Air Force Base, Coffee County, Tennessee. The origin of this community is not known, but it is assumed to follow some form of disturbance such as clearing of pastures or row-cropping (based in part on their unnatural shape). The diversity of herbaceous vegetation is relatively high with sample plots containing over 50 species. The mechanism that maintains them as oak-free cedar forests (but frequently with a low enough canopy closure to approach a woodland physiognomy) with a grass-dominated herbaceous layer is unknown. In areas adjacent to pine plantations at Arnold Air Force Base, Pinus taeda can be invasive. Efforts should be made to remove pines from these unusual communities at least until more is learned of their ecology.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this association are dominated by scattered Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana and Rhus copallinum. The herbaceous stratum contains Schizachyrium scoparium and a diversity of other grasses and forbs. Other woody species that are often present in stands include Cornus florida, Vaccinium arboreum, Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, and Oxydendrum arboreum. Despite being surrounded by oak forests, oaks of any age are rarely found. Schizachyrium scoparium may comprise up to 90% of the ground cover. Common herbs include Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon virginicus, Andropogon gyrans, Gymnopogon ambiguus, Gymnopogon brevifolius, Dichanthelium aciculare (= Dichanthelium angustifolium), Tridens flavus, Panicum virgatum, Panicum anceps, Calamagrostis coarctata, Rhynchosia tomentosa, Tephrosia virginiana, Symphyotrichum dumosum (= Aster dumosus), Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Solidago odora, Eupatorium spp., and Lespedeza spp.
Dynamics: Despite being surrounded by oak forests, oaks of any age are rarely found. The origin of this community is not known, but it is assumed to follow some form of disturbance such as clearing of pastures or row-cropping (based in part on their unnatural shape). The diversity of herbaceous vegetation is relatively high with sample plots containing over 50 species. The mechanism that maintains them as oak-free cedar forests (but frequently with a low enough canopy closure to approach a woodland physiognomy) with a grass-dominated herbaceous layer is unknown. In areas adjacent to pine plantations at Arnold Air Force Base, Pinus taeda can be invasive.
Environmental Description: This association represents anthropogenic openings of the Eastern Highland Rim "Barrens" of Tennessee dominated by scattered Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana. Despite being surrounded by oak forests, oaks of any age are rarely found.
Geographic Range: This association of anthropogenic openings occurs in the Eastern Highland Rim ''Barrens'' of Tennessee (and possibly other areas).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL?, GA?, KY, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687784
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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.90 Black Locust - Tuliptree - Norway Maple Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M013 | 1.B.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.90.a Eastern Red-cedar - Tuliptree / Tatarian Honeysuckle Ruderal Forest Group | G030 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A3227 Eastern Red-cedar - Virginia Pine - Shortleaf Pine Ruderal Forest Alliance | A3227 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Association | CEGL007704 Eastern Red-cedar / Winged Sumac / Little Bluestem Ruderal Woodland | CEGL007704 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana / Rhus copallinum / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (TNC 1998a)
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1998a. An investigation and assessment of the vegetation of Arnold Air Force Base. Coffee and Franklin counties, Tennessee. The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Field Office, Nashville. 37 pp. plus appendices.