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CEGL007983 Betula nigra - Platanus occidentalis / Berchemia scandens / (Arundinaria gigantea) - Boehmeria cylindrica Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: River Birch - American Sycamore / Alabama Supplejack / (Giant Cane) - Small-spike False Nettle Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Riverfront Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest community occurs along the narrow depositing and eroding banks adjacent to the medium-sized rivers on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas. The canopy is medium-tall, usually less than 20 m (70 feet). The community is a narrow, linear feature with many trees leaning over and falling into the rivers. The high bank floods infrequently and drains quickly. Dominant tree species include Betula nigra and Platanus occidentalis with occasional Gleditsia triacanthos, Liquidambar styraciflua (common), Morus rubra, and Tilia americana var. caroliniana. The understory is sparse with occasional Acer negundo, Carpinus caroliniana, and Diospyros virginiana. Arundinaria gigantea occurs throughout, often in thick stands. Berchemia scandens, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rotundifolia occur as dominate woody vines. The herbaceous layer is often sparse. Herbaceous species include Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Bignonia capreolata, Boehmeria cylindrica, Commelina virginica, Hydrocotyle sp., Leersia virginica, Panicum anceps, and Viola sororia. This forest community occurs on deep, well-drained alluvial sand deposits. Litter and large woody debris often accumulate in huge conglomerations and ALPS (aerial leaf packs) are often found up to 5 m (15 feet) into the canopy after large flood events. This community is adjacent to ~Taxodium distichum - (Nyssa aquatica) - Carya aquatica / Planera aquatica Floodplain Forest (CEGL007992)$$. On larger rivers it grades into Acer saccharinum - Ulmus americana riverfront forests. On base rich sites it grades into Platanus occidentalis - Acer negundo riverfront forests. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. High-quality examples are known from Big Cypress Unique Area, Moro Bottoms Natural Area, and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. This community is known from Cleveland and Sevier counties, Arkansas. It is likely extant throughout the Ouachita River Basin.
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: The community is a narrow, linear feature with many trees leaning over and falling into the rivers. The canopy is medium-tall, usually less than 20 m (70 feet). Dominant tree species include Betula nigra and Platanus occidentalis with occasional Gleditsia triacanthos, Liquidambar styraciflua (common), Morus rubra, and Tilia americana var. caroliniana (= Tilia caroliniana). The understory is sparse with occasional Acer negundo, Carpinus caroliniana, and Diospyros virginiana. Arundinaria gigantea occurs throughout, often in thick stands. Berchemia scandens, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rotundifolia occur as dominate woody vines. The herbaceous layer is often sparse. Herbaceous species include Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (= Aster lanceolatus), Bignonia capreolata, Boehmeria cylindrica, Commelina virginica, Hydrocotyle sp., Leersia virginica, Panicum anceps, and Viola sororia.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This forest community occurs along the narrow depositing and eroding banks adjacent to the medium-sized rivers on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas. The community is a narrow, linear feature with many trees leaning over and falling into the rivers. The high bank floods infrequently and drains quickly. This forest community occurs on deep, well-drained alluvial sand deposits. Litter and large woody debris often accumulate in huge conglomerations and ALPS (aerial leaf packs) are often found up to 5 m (15 feet) into the canopy after large flood events.
Geographic Range: This forest community occurs along the narrow depositing and eroding banks adjacent to the medium-sized rivers on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, LA?, OK?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688434
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3698 River Birch - American Sycamore - Silver Maple Ozark & West Gulf Riverfront Forest Alliance | A3698 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL007983 River Birch - American Sycamore / Alabama Supplejack / (Giant Cane) - Small-spike False Nettle Floodplain Forest | CEGL007983 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < River Birch - Sycamore: 61 (Eyre 1980)
- Blair, W. F., and T. H. Hubbell. 1938. The biotic districts of Oklahoma. The American Midland Naturalist 20:425-454.
- Bruner, W. E. 1931. The vegetation of Oklahoma. Ecological Monographs 1:99-188.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Hoagland, B. 2000. The vegetation of Oklahoma: A classification for landscape mapping and conservation planning. The Southwestern Naturalist 45(4):385-420.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.