Print Report
CEGL007968 Quercus muehlenbergii - Quercus sinuata / Rhus aromatica / Liatris aspera - Allium canadense var. mobilense Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chinquapin Oak - Bastard Oak / Fragrant Sumac / Tall Blazingstar - Meadow Garlic Woodland
Colloquial Name: Upper West Gulf Dry Chalk Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry calcareous woodland community occurs on ridgetops and knobs within a blackland prairie matrix in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas. Overstory trees are short (to 20 feet), gnarly, and widely spaced. In a fire-maintained condition, the overstory is open and the understory consists of prairie vegetation typical of the surrounding matrix. The herbaceous layer is predominately forb and grass in composition and moderately dense. Bare soil may be present and is covered with Nostoc commune. The dominant tree species in the sparse overstory is overwhelmingly Quercus muehlenbergii to the northeast and Quercus sinuata to the southwest. Other overstory trees may include Carya myristiciformis, Cercis canadensis, Fraxinus americana, Quercus shumardii, Ulmus crassifolia, and Ulmus alata. Juniperus virginiana and Juniperus ashei (to the west) become prominent with fire suppression. Rhus aromatica is often a dominant woody shrub. Other shrubs may be present, including Cornus drummondii, Diospyros virginiana, Frangula caroliniana, Ilex decidua, Juniperus virginiana, Rosa carolina, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, and Viburnum rufidulum. Woody vines include Berchemia scandens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax rotundifolia, and Toxicodendron radicans but are not particularly important to the structure of the community. The herbaceous layer is dominated by forbs, sedges, and grasses. Dominant herbaceous species include Allium canadense var. mobilense, Bouteloua curtipendula, Carex cherokeensis (in fire-suppressed state), Echinacea purpurea, Helianthus hirsutus, Liatris aspera, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is typically surrounded by ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Sporobolus compositus - Fimbristylis puberula var. puberula Scrub Grassland (CEGL007768)$$ but may grade into ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Echinacea pallida - Dalea purpurea Grassland (CEGL007769)$$ on deeper soils on less exposed slopes. This community has changed significantly since removal of cedars and restoration of fire. Refinement in the description should be expected after a few additional burns. Additional examples of this community may occur on adjacent lands currently being surveyed as part of a blackland ecosystem assessment. The highest quality remnant is found on Saratoga Landing Blackland Prairie and adjacent grazed lands. The type locality is in Hempstead County, Arkansas. It can also be found in Clark. Howard, and Little River counties in Arkansas. Other examples are known from International Paper Blackland Ravines Unique Area, Grandview Prairie Wildlife Management Area, and White Cliffs Natural Area.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The dominant tree species in the sparse overstory is overwhelmingly Quercus muehlenbergii to the northeast and Quercus sinuata to the southwest. Other overstory trees may include Carya myristiciformis, Cercis canadensis, Fraxinus americana, Quercus shumardii, Ulmus crassifolia, and Ulmus alata. Juniperus virginiana and Juniperus ashei (to the west) become prominent with fire suppression. Rhus aromatica is often a dominant woody shrub. Other shrubs may be present, including Cornus drummondii, Diospyros virginiana, Frangula caroliniana, Ilex decidua, Juniperus virginiana, Rosa carolina, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, and Viburnum rufidulum. Woody vines include Berchemia scandens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax rotundifolia, and Toxicodendron radicans but are not particularly important to the structure of the community. The herbaceous layer is dominated by forbs and grasses (sedges). Dominant herbaceous species include Allium canadense var. mobilense, Bouteloua curtipendula, Carex cherokeensis (in fire-suppressed state), Echinacea purpurea, Helianthus hirsutus, Liatris aspera, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Other herbaceous species may include Agrimonia parviflora, Asclepias tuberosa, Astragalus canadensis, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dalea purpurea var. purpurea, Delphinium carolinianum, Desmodium perplexum and/or Desmodium glabellum (= Desmodium dillenii taxon split), Echinacea pallida, Euphorbia bicolor, Euphorbia corollata, Galium pilosum, Glandularia bipinnatifida (= Verbena bipinnatifida), Glandularia canadensis, Lespedeza spp., Liatris aspera, Lonicera sempervirens, Onosmodium bejariense (= Onosmodium molle), Opuntia humifusa, Panicum sp., Penstemon cobaea, Penstemon digitalis, Phlox pilosa, Physalis sp., Rudbeckia hirta, Ruellia humilis, Salvia azurea, Scleria oligantha, Seymeria cassioides, Silphium laciniatum, Smilax lasioneura (= Smilax herbacea var. lasioneura), Sorghastrum nutans, Spigelia marilandica, Stenosiphon linifolius, Symphyotrichum cordifolium (= Aster cordifolius), Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Verbesina helianthoides, and Vernonia baldwinii.
Dynamics: Historically, fires sweeping through the blackland ecosystem would have maintained the savanna/woodland structure of this community; fire-suppressed woodlands can have a dense midstory and suppressed herbaceous layer. This community has responded well to fire management, red-cedar removal, and the suspension of grazing.
Environmental Description: Soils are shallow, eroded, well-drained, low permeability, low water-holding capacity, alkaline Demopolis silty clays over chalk. Chalk outcrops frequently and is usually within 12 inches of the surface.
Geographic Range: This dry calcareous woodland community occurs on ridgetops and knobs within a blackland prairie matrix in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688689
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.e Chinquapin Oak - Shumard Oak - Blue Ash Forest & Woodland Group | G601 | 1.B.2.Na.1.e |
| Alliance | A3276 Chinquapin Oak - Hickory species - Bastard Oak Forest Alliance | A3276 | 1.B.2.Na.1.e |
| Association | CEGL007968 Chinquapin Oak - Bastard Oak / Fragrant Sumac / Tall Blazingstar - Meadow Garlic Woodland | CEGL007968 | 1.B.2.Na.1.e |
Concept Lineage: merged
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.