Print Report
CEGL007898 Betula nigra - Liquidambar styraciflua - Platanus occidentalis - Quercus nigra Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: River Birch - Sweetgum - American Sycamore - Water Oak Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: West Gulf Coastal Plain Mixed Small Stream Bottomland Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The canopy of stands of this association is dominated by Betula nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Platanus occidentalis, Quercus nigra, Quercus pagoda, Ulmus americana, and Carya glabra. The midstory is dominated by Carpinus caroliniana, Ulmus alata, Halesia diptera, Ilex opaca var. opaca, and Ostrya virginiana. Understory shrubs include Vaccinium elliottii, Asimina triloba, Callicarpa americana, and patchy Arundinaria gigantea. Woody vines include Smilax rotundifolia and Vitis rotundifolia. Herbs include Elephantopus carolinianus, Onoclea sensibilis, Polystichum acrostichoides, Dichanthelium spp., Panicum spp., Carex spp., and Chasmanthium latifolium or Chasmanthium laxum, either one of which may have high cover values. These forests occur on narrow floodplains along medium-sized streams in the West Gulf Coastal Plain.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type needs additional review and assessment. This is possibly a disturbed variant of a community dominated, for example, by bottomland oaks and sweetgum. Betula nigra can be present in response to disturbance, not due to inherent site conditions, e.g., the dynamic environment of a riverfront situation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy of stands of this association is dominated by Betula nigra, Liquidambar styraciflua, Platanus occidentalis, Quercus nigra, Quercus pagoda, Ulmus americana, and Carya glabra. In addition, Taxodium distichum could be present. The midstory is dominated by Carpinus caroliniana, Ulmus alata, Halesia diptera, Ilex opaca var. opaca, and Ostrya virginiana. Understory shrubs include Vaccinium elliottii, Asimina triloba, Callicarpa americana, and patchy Arundinaria gigantea. Some examples may contain Ditrysinia fruticosa (= Sebastiania fruticosa). Woody vines include Smilax rotundifolia and Vitis rotundifolia. Herbs include Elephantopus carolinianus, Onoclea sensibilis, Mimulus alatus, Polystichum acrostichoides, Dichanthelium spp., Panicum spp., Carex spp., and Chasmanthium latifolium or Chasmanthium laxum, either one of which may have high cover values. Additional shrubs in a plot from the Davy Crockett National Forest (Texas) include Ilex vomitoria, Forestiera ligustrina, Sassafras albidum, Diospyros virginiana, Acer rubrum, Catalpa speciosa, Frangula caroliniana, and Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis. Additional vines include Berchemia scandens, Smilax bona-nox, and Nekemias arborea (= Ampelopsis arborea). Some other herbs include Boehmeria cylindrica, Commelina virginica, and Mitchella repens.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These forests occur on narrow floodplains along medium-sized streams in the West Gulf Coastal Plain. More information is needed on the environment of this type. One stand in the Sabine National Forest which has been assigned here was located on a sand bar along a bayou channel.
Geographic Range: These forests occur in the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Louisiana and Texas, and the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: LA, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688847
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4Q
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.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M031 | 1.B.3.Nb.4 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a Swamp Chestnut Oak - Laurel Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest Group | G034 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
| Alliance | A3627 Laurel Oak - Sweetgum - Swamp Tupelo Coastal Plain Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3627 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
| Association | CEGL007898 River Birch - Sweetgum - American Sycamore - Water Oak Floodplain Forest | CEGL007898 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Willow Oak - Laurel Oak / Bignonia Loamy Wet-Mesic Stream Bottoms (Turner et al. 1999)
- LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. 1999. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX. 95 pp. plus appendices.