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CEGL004644 Quercus (phellos, michauxii) / Ilex opaca / Clethra alnifolia / Woodwardia areolata Wet Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Willow Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak) / American Holly / Coastal Sweet-pepperbush / Netted Chainfern Wet Forest
Colloquial Name: Chesapeake Bay Nonriverine Wet Hardwood Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs in the central and northern Virginia Coastal Plain and Maryland Coastal Plain on extensive, flat terraces and very wide, ancient floodplains that are no longer subject to alluvial processes. Its hydrology is seasonally to nearly permanently saturated, with occasional ponding or groundwater sheetflows, and is maintained by a high water table rather than riverine or estuarine flooding. The overstory of relatively undisturbed examples contain variable mixtures of hydrophytic oaks, most commonly Quercus phellos, Quercus pagoda, and Quercus michauxii. Associated canopy species varying from site to site can include Quercus alba, Quercus palustris, Quercus lyrata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, Pinus taeda, Nyssa sylvatica, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. The subcanopy layers are usually dominated by Ilex opaca var. opaca and also contain Magnolia virginiana and recruitment of the overstory trees. The shrub layer varies from open to dense. It most characteristically contains Clethra alnifolia, Eubotrys racemosa, Ilex verticillata, Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium fuscatum, Vaccinium formosum, Viburnum dentatum, Rhododendron viscosum, and Viburnum nudum var. nudum. The herb layer is also highly variable. Some stands have a rather sparse herbaceous flora, with scattered colonies and individuals of Woodwardia areolata, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Woodwardia virginica, Saururus cernuus, and various sedges. Others have a relatively dense graminoid-dominated herb layer with variable patch-dominance by Chasmanthium laxum, Carex debilis var. debilis, Carex intumescens, Carex seorsa, Carex lonchocarpa, and more rarely, Carex bullata or Carex striata var. brevis. Many stands of this association have been degraded by cutting or ditching, and extensive areas of suitable habitat have been lost to agriculture, hydrologic alterations, and conversion of hardwood forests to silvicultural pine plantations.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Classification of this type is based on intensive field investigation by the Virginia Natural Heritage Program (VDNH) and analysis of a 1250-plot regional dataset assembled for the NCR and Mid-Atlantic national parks vegetation mapping projects. In that analysis, this association was represented by 21 plots from the northern Coastal Plain of Virginia. The original concept of this vegetation was based on field work by Bill Moorhead (VDNH), who investigated several of the large, elliptical depressions that dot the flat landscape in Accomack County. There are three plots that document this vegetation at two sites: "Dahl Swamp" and "The Lake" (G. Fleming pers. comm.). The stands apparently cover many hectares and are associated with slight depressions with drainage impeded by an impermeable clay layer about half a meter below the soil surface. The habitat apparently has a seasonally high water table but ponds water only intermittently or for short periods. Most of the areas seen by Bill Moorhead had been logged some decades ago and had a very open (woodland-like) physiognomy due to poor restocking of canopy trees. However, he also obtained information from local people that one of the areas was known historically as "savanna land," suggesting that fire and hydrology maintained a woodland physiognomy in the depressions (G. Fleming pers. comm.). The Maryland Natural Heritage Program (MDNHP unpubl. data 2018) documented this association with two plots from old-aged stands in Talbot County and several observations elsewhere on the coastal plain. Sampled stands contained trees of Quercus pagoda, Quercus michauxii, Quercus phellos, and Pinus taeda in excess of 100 years old. Maryland stands are often in mosaic with patches of ~Fagus grandifolia - Quercus (alba, rubra) - Liriodendron tulipifera / (Ilex opaca) Forest (CEGL006075)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory of relatively undisturbed examples contain variable mixtures of hydrophytic oaks, most commonly Quercus phellos, Quercus pagoda, and Quercus michauxii. Associated canopy species varying from site to site can include Quercus alba, Quercus palustris, Quercus lyrata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, Pinus taeda, Nyssa sylvatica, and Fraxinus pennsylvanica. Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, and Pinus taeda are often abundant in stands disturbed by cutting. The subcanopy layers are usually dominated by Ilex opaca var. opaca and also contain Magnolia virginiana and recruitment of the overstory trees. The shrub layer varies from open to dense, and most characteristically contains Clethra alnifolia, Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), Ilex verticillata, Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium fuscatum, Vaccinium formosum, Viburnum dentatum, Rhododendron viscosum, and Viburnum nudum var. nudum. The herb layer is also highly variable. Some stands have a rather sparse herbaceous flora, with scattered colonies and individuals of Woodwardia areolata, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Woodwardia virginica, Saururus cernuus, and various sedges. Others have a relatively dense graminoid-dominated herb layer with variable patch-dominance by Chasmanthium laxum, Carex debilis var. debilis, Carex intumescens, Carex seorsa, Carex lonchocarpa, and more rarely, Carex bullata or Carex striata var. brevis. Many other hydrophytic herbs occur at low constancy and cover. The composition of this community is something of a "hybrid," with an overstory similar to that of oak-dominated floodplain forests and lower strata resembling those of an acidic seepage swamp.
Dynamics: Many stands of this association have been degraded by cutting or hydrologic alterations such as ditching. Clear-cutting or selective removal of the more valuable oaks results in stands dominated by weedy trees such as Liquidambar and Acer rubrum. On the Virginia Eastern Shore, the stands apparently cover many hectares and are associated with slight depressions with drainage impeded by an impermeable clay layer about half a meter below the soil surface. The habitat apparently has a seasonally high water table but ponds water only intermittently or for short periods. Most of the areas seen by Bill Moorhead had been logged some decades ago and had a very open (woodland-like) physiognomy due to poor restocking of canopy trees. However, he also obtained information from local people that one of the areas was known historically as "savanna land," suggesting that fire and hydrology maintained a woodland physiognomy in the depressions (G. Fleming pers. comm.).
Environmental Description: This association occurs on extensive, flat Coastal Plain terraces and very wide, ancient floodplains that are no longer subject to alluvial processes. Its hydrology is seasonally to nearly permanently saturated, with occasional ponding or groundwater sheetflows, and is maintained by a high water table rather than riverine or estuarine flooding. Shallow channels and streams are sometimes evident, and hummock and hollow microtopography may be present. On the Eastern Shore of Virginia (Accomack County), it is found in isolated and extensive but shallow upland depressions. The stands here cover many hectares and occur in slight depressions with drainage impeded by an impermeable clay layer about half a meter below the soil surface. The habitat apparently has a seasonally high water table but ponds water only intermittently or for short periods (G. Fleming pers. comm.). Surficial soils occupied by this forest are extremely acidic and infertile silt or silty-clay loams.
Geographic Range: This association is known from about 25 sites in 13 counties of the Virginia central and northern Coastal Plain. In Maryland, this association is known to occur in seven counties of the Outer Coastal Plain.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688264
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.2 Swamp Tupelo - Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress Basin Swamp & Flatwoods Macrogroup | M033 | 1.B.3.Nb.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b Laurel Oak - Willow Oak - Loblolly Pine Wet Flatwoods Group | G130 | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b |
| Alliance | A3443 <i>Quercus michauxii - Quercus pagoda - Quercus laurifolia</i> Wet Flatwoods Forest Alliance | A3443 | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b |
| Association | CEGL004644 (Willow Oak, Swamp Chestnut Oak) / American Holly / Coastal Sweet-pepperbush / Netted Chainfern Wet Forest | CEGL004644 | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus (michauxii, pagoda, phellos, alba) / Clethra alnifolia / Woodwardia virginica Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2003)
- Fleming, G. P. 2002b. Preliminary classification of Piedmont & Inner Coastal Plain vegetation types in Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report 02-14. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. 29 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., K. Taverna, and P. P. Coulling. 2007b. Vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks, eastern region. Regional (VA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2007. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2003. Preliminary vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks. Regional (VA-WVA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2003. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2011b. Analysis of Coastal Plain / Outer Piedmont bottomlands and non-alluvial wetlands in Virginia, 400 plots. In-house analysis, January 2011. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
- Harrison, Jason W. Personal communication. State Community Ecologist, Maryland Wildlife and Heritage Division, Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis, MD.
- MDNHP [Maryland Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Annapolis.
- Patterson, K. D. 2008c. Vegetation classification and mapping at Colonial National Historical Park, Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/129. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 369 pp.
- Patterson, K. D. 2008d. Vegetation classification and mapping at George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/099. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 231 pp.
- Patterson, K. D. 2008e. Vegetation classification and mapping at Petersburg National Battlefield, Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/127. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 235 pp.
- Patterson, K. D. 2008f. Vegetation classification and mapping at Richmond National Battlefield Park, Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/128. National Park Service. Philadelphia, PA. 244 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Taverna, K. and K. D. Patterson. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park, Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR-2008/126. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 277 pp.