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CEGL005281 Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - Black Oak / Little Bluestem Woodland
Colloquial Name: Central Tallgrass Post Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This post oak - black oak woodland type occurs in the glaciated central tallgrass region of the United States. Stands occur on dry narrow ridges and steep slopes of glaciated ridges, or on rolling topography that was prone to fires. The open-tree canopy is dominated by Quercus stellata and Quercus velutina, with minor associates of Carya tomentosa and Carya ovata. Saplings of Sassafras albidum and Prunus serotina may be present. The herbaceous layer probably contained a fairly diverse mix of prairie and forest flora, with prairie grasses, such as Schizachyrium scoparium, abundant. Few sites remain on which to describe this type, and historically, it may have been maintained by frequent fires.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: As described in Missouri, this type may remain in woodland condition due to more xeric slope conditions, whereas in Illinois, stands, which occur on more rolling topography, may have remained open due to frequent fires, and the woodland/forest conditions are more prevalent under reduced fires. McClain et al. (1999) note that this type occurs in the post flatwoods region of Illinois, but stands of this type lack the micro-depressions typical of post oak flatwoods, ~Quercus stellata / Cinna arundinacea Flatwoods Forest (CEGL002405)$$, nor do they contain the typical indicators of the xero-hydric conditions of flatwoods, such as Cinna arundinacea.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The open tree canopy is dominated by Quercus stellata and Quercus velutina, with minor associates of Carya tomentosa and Carya ovata. Saplings of Sassafras albidum and Prunus serotina may be present. The herbaceous layer probably contained a fairly diverse mix of prairie and forest flora, with prairie grasses such as Schizachyrium scoparium abundant (T. Nigh pers. comm. 1999, McClain et al. 1999).
Dynamics: Historically, stands were maintained by frequent fires. McClain et al. (1998) report a total of 36 fires over a 75-year period from 1776 to 1850 in one stand in Hamilton County, Illinois. Increased scarring was noted during drought years.
Environmental Description: Stands occur on dry narrow ridges and steep slopes of glaciated ridges, or on rolling topography that was prone to fires (McClain et al. 1999, T. Nigh pers. comm. 1999).
Geographic Range: This post oak - black oak woodland type occurs in the glaciated central tallgrass region of the United States, particularly in northern Missouri and south-central Illinois.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: IA?, IL, MO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688965
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G3
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.4 White Oak - Bur Oak - Shagbark Hickory Forest, Woodland & Savanna Macrogroup | M012 | 1.B.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.4.b North-Central Oak - Hickory Forest & Woodland Group | G649 | 1.B.2.Na.4.b |
| Alliance | A3324 White Oak - Bur Oak - Swamp White Oak Woodland Alliance | A3324 | 1.B.2.Na.4.b |
| Association | CEGL005281 Post Oak - Black Oak / Little Bluestem Woodland | CEGL005281 | 1.B.2.Na.4.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- McClain, W. E., T. L. Esker, B. R. Edgin, and J. E. Ebinger. 1999. Fire history of a post oak (Quercus stellata Wang.) woodland in Hamilton County, Illinois. Proceedings of the Illinois State Academy of Science, Paper Sessions, Botany Division, April 10, 1999.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Nigh, Tim A. Personal communication. Ecologist, Missouri Conservation Commission, Jefferson City.
- White, J., and M. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 311-405 in: Natural Areas Inventory technical report: Volume I, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana, IL.