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CEGL007211 Fagus grandifolia - Quercus (alba, nigra) / Symplocos tinctoria - (Stewartia malacodendron) Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Beech - (White Oak, Water Oak) / Horsesugar - (Silky Camellia) Forest
Colloquial Name: South Coastal Plain Mesic Beech - Water Oak Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These mesic mixed hardwood forests of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain are dominated by Fagus grandifolia and various combinations of oaks, particularly Quercus nigra or Quercus alba. Other mesophytic hardwoods such as Liriodendron tulipifera, Liquidambar styraciflua, bottomland oaks, or Carya spp. may be present or abundant. This community grades into drier zones in which Quercus falcata, Pinus echinata, and Pinus taeda are common. Vaccinium sp. and Arundinaria gigantea are important in the shrub layer. Other canopy species that may be present include Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, Ulmus alata, Acer rubrum, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Pinus taeda may also be present and may have increased in occurrences with a history of disturbance. The understory may include a variety of species in addition to those regenerating in the canopy, including Ilex opaca, Ostrya virginiana, Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus florida, and Stewartia malacodendron. The well-developed shrub layer may contain a variety of species, including Euonymus americanus, Rhododendron canescens, Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium pallidum, Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia frondosa, Symplocos tinctoria, Arundinaria gigantea, Asimina triloba, Callicarpa americana, and others. The herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately well-developed and among the species that occur are Osmunda cinnamomea, Polystichum acrostichoides, Mitchella repens, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Malaxis unifolia, Arisaema triphyllum, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Dichanthelium boscii, Goodyera pubescens, Carex debilis, Carex abscondita, and Tipularia discolor. The vine/liana stratum is sparse and can contain Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans, Bignonia capreolata, and Smilax tamnoides, among others. The South Carolina example occurs on middle to lower convex slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tree canopy is dominated by Fagus grandifolia, in combination with Quercus nigra or Quercus alba, and potentially with a wide variety of other mesophytic species. Overall species composition is mesic; wetland shrub and herb species may be present but have limited abundance. Flora lacks indicators of more base-rich or higher pH soil. Stands occur on mesic slopes, wet upland flats, and low mesic ridges in wet forested settings, in areas where potential spread of fire is limited.
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 these mesic mixed hardwood forests are dominated by Fagus grandifolia, often codominant with Quercus nigra or Quercus alba. Other canopy species that may be present include Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus laurifolia, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, Carya tomentosa, Carya glabra, Quercus falcata, Ulmus alata, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Liriodendron tulipifera, the latter two of which may share dominance. Pinus taeda may also be present and may be particularly abundant in occurrences with a history of disturbance. The understory is diverse and may contain Ilex opaca (which may dominate), Ostrya virginiana, Carpinus caroliniana, Oxydendrum arboreum, and Cornus florida. The well-developed shrub layer contains a variety of species, including Symplocos tinctoria, Callicarpa americana, Arundinaria gigantea, Euonymus americanus, Rhododendron canescens, Vaccinium elliottii, Vaccinium pallidum, Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia frondosa, Stewartia malacodendron, Styrax grandifolius, Asimina triloba, and others. The herbaceous layer ranges from sparse to moderately well-developed and among the species that occur are Osmunda cinnamomea, Polystichum acrostichoides, Mitchella repens, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum (= Chasmanthium laxum var. sessiliflorum), Malaxis unifolia, Arisaema triphyllum, Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Dichanthelium boscii, Goodyera pubescens, Carex debilis, Carex abscondita, and Tipularia discolor. The vine/liana stratum is sparse and can contain Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans, Bignonia capreolata, and Smilax tamnoides (= Smilax hispida), among others. The exotic species Lonicera japonica may be present in examples of these forests.
Dynamics: In Virginia, this type often grades into nonriverine wet hardwood forests with more hydrophytic oaks (G.P. Fleming pers. comm. 2004).
Environmental Description: These forests occur on mesic slopes, upland flats, and low ridges in swamp forests in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain (TNC 1998b). In Congaree Swamp National Monument, this forest type occurs in the uplands of the northwestern portion of the park, on middle to lower convex slopes (TNC 1998b). This community grades into drier zones in which Quercus falcata, Pinus echinata, and Pinus taeda are common. It occurs in similar settings on river bluffs and dissected uplands throughout its range. It also occurs on distinct ridges embedded in nonriverine swamps (swamp islands). These small-patch occurrences range throughout eastern North Carolina and Virginia. Examples are documented at Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, North Carolina and Virginia, and along the Northwest River, Virginia. Other occurrences are on very slight rises in upland flats in Virginia and northeastern North Carolina, where it may occur in a mosaic with wetland oak forest.
Geographic Range: These forests are currently known from the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, SC, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688279
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.3 American Beech - Southern Magnolia - White Oak Forest Macrogroup | M008 | 1.B.1.Na.3 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Na.3.b American Beech - Southern Sugar Maple - White Oak Forest Group | G166 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
| Alliance | A2059 American Beech - White Oak - Water Oak Coastal Plain Forest Alliance | A2059 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
| Association | CEGL007211 American Beech - (White Oak, Water Oak) / Horsesugar - (Silky Camellia) Forest | CEGL007211 | 1.B.1.Na.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Fagus grandifolia - Quercus (alba, michauxii, pagoda) / Stewartia malacodendron Forest (Fleming and Patterson 2003)
= Fagus grandifolia - Quercus nigra Forest (Landaal et al. 1998) [Plots 1-45; 1-51; 2-17; 2-23; 2-37; 2-55; 2-56]
= Fagus grandifolia - Quercus nigra Forest (Landaal et al. 1998) [Plots 1-45; 1-51; 2-17; 2-23; 2-37; 2-55; 2-56]
- 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.
- Frost, C. C., H. E. LeGrand, Jr., and R. E. Schneider. 1990. Regional inventory for critical natural areas, wetland ecosystems, and endangered species habitats of the Albemarle-Pamlico estuarine region: Phase 1. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh, NC. 454 pp.
- Landaal, S., A. Weakley, and J. Drake. 1998. Classification of the vegetation of Congaree National Park. Report to BRD-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, National Park Service, The Nature Conservancy, Chapel Hill, NC. 67 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- SCWMRD [South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department]. 2018. Unpublished data. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Columbia.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.