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CEGL008437 Pinus palustris - Pinus echinata / Quercus marilandica - (Quercus montana) / Vaccinium pallidum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Longleaf Pine - Shortleaf Pine / Blackjack Oak - (Chestnut Oak) / Blue Ridge Blueberry Woodland
Colloquial Name: Montane Mixed Longleaf Pine Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is one of several associations representing longleaf pine stands of interior regions of the southeastern United States, including the Piedmont, Cumberland Plateau, and Southern Ridge and Valley. This type occurs at moderate elevations (to 600 m) in mountainous regions and have been previously called montane longleaf. Other longleaf pine stands found at Pine Mountain, Georgia, on serpentine soils, or wet Piedmont soils are covered by other community types [see Similar Associations]. Examples of this type occur on steep, often rocky ridges composed of various rock types, including sandstone, quartzite, phyllite, mica schists, and gneiss. Vegetation structure and species composition are variable and depend on previous disturbance and the frequency of fire. The canopy ranges from open to closed and may be dominated solely by Pinus palustris, or support a mixture of other pines and oaks, although stands in northern Alabama with nearly equal mixtures of Pinus palustris and Quercus montana are accommodated by another association. The pine canopy, in addition to Pinus palustris, often includes Pinus echinata, and sometimes includes (presumably due to reduction of historical fire regimes) Pinus taeda and Pinus virginiana. Oaks can occur as canopy or subcanopy components and may include various combinations of Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata, Quercus montana, Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina, Quercus alba, and Quercus falcata. Other characteristic subcanopy trees are Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Sassafras albidum, Carya pallida, Carya tomentosa, and sometimes Cornus florida. The shrub stratum is of variable density; characteristic species include Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Symplocos tinctoria, and (in some portions of the range) Gaylussacia frondosa and Vaccinium tenellum. The herb layer may be highly suppressed following fire exclusion and canopy closure, but can be dense and grassy with fire. Characteristic species are Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon ternarius, Danthonia sericea, Danthonia spicata, Iris verna, Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum, Solidago odora var. odora, Tephrosia virginiana, Clitoria mariana, Lespedeza spp., Desmodium spp., Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, Dichanthelium commutatum, Coreopsis major, Silphium compositum, Parthenium integrifolium var. integrifolium, Scleria triglomerata, Liatris sp., and Solidago sp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In May 2011, a renamed CEGL003606 was revived; for several years it was merged with CEGL008437. As of 2000, inland longleaf pine communities from a variety of geographic areas, elevations, and geologic substrates were all included here, including those of the lower Piedmont (North Carolina), lower and upper Piedmont (Alabama and Georgia), southern Ridge and Valley (Alabama and Georgia), and Black Warrior Hills (Alabama). There may be associations worth splitting out from this broadly defined type, but it is difficult to see useful patterns based on the information available. Most examples currently are fire-suppressed, and have a depauperate composition, reduced to a sort of "lowest common denominators" such as Schizachyrium scoparium, Pityopsis graminifolia, Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum, Tephrosia virginiana, and Solidago odora var. odora. Most have a mixture of pines, and considerable mixed oak in the canopy, including characteristic "inland" species such as Quercus montana. Some highly disturbed occurrences are dominated by Pinus taeda but, if managed with frequent fire, still contain Pinus palustris and a relatively diverse herbaceous layer. Wharton (1978) briefly describes vegetation (probably CEGL008437) on Pine Mountain, Harris and/or Meriwether counties, Georgia, with a Pinus palustris overstory, a Quercus marilandica understory, and common Aureolaria pectinata. This was regarded as part of CEGL008437, but may now be treated as the revived ~Pinus palustris - Pinus echinata - Quercus montana / Kalmia latifolia - Rhododendron minus Woodland (CEGL003606)$$. He additionally states that the Pinus palustris - Quercus marilandica stands occur on the very top and south face of the ridgetop on Pine Mountain, this grading down into Pinus taeda- and hardwood-dominated stands on the north-facing upper portion of the ridge. He also mentions that longleaf pine was (additionally?) planted here by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1930.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation structure is variable and depends on frequency and recency of fire. The canopy is open to closed. The shrub stratum is of variable density. The herb layer may be highly suppressed following fire exclusion and canopy closure, but can be dense and grassy with fire. The natural fire regime would allow for the reproduction of Pinus palustris and likely maintained a moderately herb-rich ground layer. Most existing stands have been degraded, and few data are available on well-burned stands (Varner et al. 2003a, 2003b). It is unclear whether stands with a denser canopy structure are merely the result of fire suppression or whether they may also be natural, since these sites would likely have had much less frequent fires than most other longleaf pine communities.
Floristics: Vegetation structure is variable and depends on frequency and recency of fire. The canopy is open to closed. In addition to Pinus palustris, the canopy may include Pinus echinata, Pinus taeda, and Pinus virginiana. Subcanopy species present include Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Quercus coccinea, Quercus velutina, Quercus falcata, and Quercus alba. Other characteristic subcanopy trees are Nyssa sylvatica, Oxydendrum arboreum, Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Sassafras albidum, Carya pallida, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), and sometimes Cornus florida. At Sprewell Bluff State Park (Pine Mountain, Georgia), stands of this type include some oak associates more typical of sandhill longleaf pine communities such as Quercus laevis and Quercus margarettae. It is believed that in the historically more frequently burned landscape, pines, and especially Pinus palustris and Pinus echinata would have predominated in the canopy, with some oaks as well. Following fire exclusion, the oaks and less fire-tolerant pines (Pinus virginiana and Pinus taeda) increase their importance. The shrub stratum is of variable density; characteristic species include Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Symplocos tinctoria, and (in some portions of the range) Gaylussacia frondosa and Vaccinium tenellum. Woody vines include Smilax glauca and Vitis rotundifolia. The herb layer may be highly suppressed following fire exclusion and canopy closure, but can be dense and grassy with fire. Characteristic species are Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon ternarius, Danthonia sericea (= var. sericea), Danthonia spicata, Iris verna, Pteridium aquilinum var. pseudocaudatum, Solidago odora var. odora, Tephrosia virginiana, Clitoria mariana, Lespedeza spp., Desmodium spp., Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, Dichanthelium commutatum, Coreopsis major, Silphium compositum, Parthenium integrifolium var. integrifolium, Scleria triglomerata, Liatris sp., and Solidago sp.
In these occurrences, other characteristic woody species include Oxydendrum arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, and Vaccinium tenellum, and characteristic herbs include Clinopodium georgianum (= Calamintha georgiana), Eupatorium album, Chrysopsis mariana, Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Danthonia spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium, Andropogon gyrans, and Ionactis linariifolius. It also includes vegetation strongly dominated by other pines or oaks, such as Pinus virginiana or Quercus montana with a lesser abundance of Pinus palustris.
In these occurrences, other characteristic woody species include Oxydendrum arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, and Vaccinium tenellum, and characteristic herbs include Clinopodium georgianum (= Calamintha georgiana), Eupatorium album, Chrysopsis mariana, Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Danthonia spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium, Andropogon gyrans, and Ionactis linariifolius. It also includes vegetation strongly dominated by other pines or oaks, such as Pinus virginiana or Quercus montana with a lesser abundance of Pinus palustris.
Dynamics: These communities had a natural fire regime which allowed for the reproduction of Pinus palustris and likely maintained a moderately herb-rich ground layer. Most existing stands have been degraded, and few data are available on well-burned stands (Varner et al. 2003a, 2003b). It is unclear whether stands with forest structure are merely the result of fire suppression or whether they may also be natural, since these sites would likely have had much less frequent fires than most other longleaf pine communities. Steep slopes and rocky conditions may have allowed regeneration of Pinus palustris even with infrequent fire events. It is believed that in the historically more frequently burned landscape, pines, especially Pinus palustris and Pinus echinata, would have predominated in the canopy, with some oaks as well. Following fire exclusion, a number of successional overstory species would have increased in abundance, including Acer rubrum, oaks such as Quercus velutina and Quercus montana, and less fire-tolerant pines (Pinus virginiana and Pinus taeda) (Golden 1979, Varner et al. 2003a, 2003b). This association includes open woodlands, generally lacking an oak subcanopy, created and maintained through thinning and burning to favor red-cockaded woodpeckers, perhaps approximating more natural structure and composition.
Environmental Description: This association is found in a variety of interior regions of the southeastern United States, including sandstone ridges in the Ridge and Valley Province of north-central Alabama and northwestern Georgia, slopes and ridges in the Carolina Slate Belt of North Carolina, and other substrates such as quartzite, phyllite, mica schists, and gneiss. Examples most often occurs on south- and southwest-facing, exposed, upper slopes and summits, with high insolation. At Fort McClellan (Alabama), stands occur on 40-60% slopes on soils with abundant outcrops of quartzite and sandstone (Varner et al. 2003b, NatureServe Ecology - Southeast U.S. unpubl. data).
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Ridge and Valley Province of north-central Alabama and northwestern Georgia, and in the Piedmont of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, NC, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689504
Confidence Level: Low
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.b Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G012 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3272 Longleaf Pine - Shortleaf Pine - Chestnut Oak Interior Woodland Alliance | A3272 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL008437 Longleaf Pine - Shortleaf Pine / Blackjack Oak - (Chestnut Oak) / Blue Ridge Blueberry Woodland | CEGL008437 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: CEGL003606 was merged into CEGL008437 in 6-01 but subsequently split back out in 5-11. CEGL007088 merged into (woodland) CEGL003607 which was subsequently merged into CEGL008437.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- ALNHP [Alabama Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data on file. Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Auburn University.
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Golden, M. S. 1979. Forest vegetation of the lower Alabama Piedmont. Ecology 60:770-782.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- North Carolina Vegetation Survey. No date. Unpublished data.
- 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. 1994. Inventory of longleaf pine natural communities. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 230 pp.
- 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.
- Simon, S., and L. Hayden. 2014. Ecological zones on the Sumter National Forest, Enoree and Long Cane Districts: 1st Approximation. Report to USDA Forest Service. 47 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Varner, J. M., III, J. S. Kush, and R. S. Meldahl. 2003a. Structural characteristics of frequently-burned old-growth longleaf pine stands in the mountains of Alabama. Castanea 68(3):211-221.
- Varner, J. M., III, J. S. Kush, and R. S. Meldahl. 2003b. Vegetation of frequently burned old-growth longleaf pine (Pinus palustris Mill.) savannas on Choccolocco Mountain, Alabama, USA. Natural Areas Journal 23(1):43-52.
- Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.