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CEGL002075 Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Carya (glabra, texana) / Vaccinium arboreum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - (Pignut Hickory, Black Hickory) / Farkleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: Midwest Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This post oak - blackjack oak forest is found most commonly in the Interior Highlands and Interior Low Plateau regions. Stands occurs in isolated patches on dry, rapidly drained, shallow soils. Bedrock can be sandstone, chert, or igneous material, and rock fragments, cobbles, or boulders are commonly strewn over the surface. This forest is best developed on south- and west-facing slopes and ridgetops of steep-walled valleys and canyons. Typical tree species dominants include Quercus stellata, mixed with a variety of other oaks, including Quercus marilandica, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus velutina. The tree canopy is short (6-15 m [20-50 feet]), slow-growing, and open. Tree crowns are spreading, open, and limby. The understory is poorly developed and consists of widely scattered shrubs. Typical species include Vaccinium arboreum, Amelanchier arborea, and Ostrya virginiana. Herbaceous cover is sparse, and mosses and lichens are abundant. In Kentucky, common herbaceous species include Tephrosia virginiana, Euphorbia corollata, and Danthonia spicata. In Arkansas, herbaceous species include Carex umbellata and Carex hirsutella.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The presence of Vaccinium arboreum is part of what distinguishes this type from the related CEGL002074 of the Crosstimbers to the west (B. Hoagland pers. comm.). In Kentucky this is a common forest on sandstone ridges in the Shawnee Hills (222Da, 222De, 222Dg, 222Dj). Kentucky occurrences are often old-growth, gnarly woodlands. Concept and distribution of this association in the Southeast needs assessment. Distinguishing this community from ~Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Quercus velutina - Carya texana / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL002149)$$ can be difficult when canopy cover is at or near 60%. Black hickory is diagnostic for this community, which is most common west of the Mississippi Alluvial Basin. Braun (1950) summarizes information on this type in the Ozarks of Missouri and Arkansas. Anderson (1996) notes that this type may be found in southwestern Ohio, but further review is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The percentage of area covered by bedrock in the ground layer greatly affects herbaceous cover and species composition. Tall shrub 0.5-2 m tall and herbaceous 0-2 m.
Floristics: This community is a broad-leaved deciduous forest type. Canopy closure is often incomplete but may be more than 60%. Typical tree species dominants include Quercus stellata, mixed with a variety of other oaks, including Quercus marilandica, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus velutina. The tree canopy is short (8-20 m), slow-growing, and open. The understory is poorly developed and consists of widely scattered shrubs. Typical species include Amelanchier arborea, Ostrya virginiana, and Vaccinium arboreum. Dwarf-shrubs include Hypericum punctatum, Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule (= Hypericum stragulum), Rosa carolina, and Toxicodendron radicans. Herbaceous cover is sparse; species include Antennaria plantaginifolia, Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Danthonia spicata, Dichanthelium commutatum, Dichanthelium laxiflorum, Helianthus divaricatus, Hieracium gronovii, Lespedeza hirta, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Mosses and lichens are abundant and important contributors to species diversity where bedrock is prevalent (Nelson 1985, TNC 1995a). The presence of Vaccinium arboreum is part of what distinguishes this type from the related CEGL002074 of the Crosstimbers to the west (B. Hoagland pers. comm.).
Site-specific conditions regulate vegetative composition from a narrow group of species adapted to dry conditions and thin soils typical of this forest ecosystem. Pinus echinata can replace Carya texana where bedrock is of sandstone (TNC 1995a). Species composition within and among occurrences of this community is determined by moisture availability and the influence of bedrock on soil physical and chemical properties. Species diversity and density are restricted due to environmental stresses related to limited moisture, thin soils, and heat stress. This community typically occupies dry upland ridgetops and upper slopes in oak - hickory forests west of the Mississippi River. Carya texana is replaced by Carya pallida under similar environmental conditions east of the Mississippi River.
Site-specific conditions regulate vegetative composition from a narrow group of species adapted to dry conditions and thin soils typical of this forest ecosystem. Pinus echinata can replace Carya texana where bedrock is of sandstone (TNC 1995a). Species composition within and among occurrences of this community is determined by moisture availability and the influence of bedrock on soil physical and chemical properties. Species diversity and density are restricted due to environmental stresses related to limited moisture, thin soils, and heat stress. This community typically occupies dry upland ridgetops and upper slopes in oak - hickory forests west of the Mississippi River. Carya texana is replaced by Carya pallida under similar environmental conditions east of the Mississippi River.
Dynamics: Drought stress, heat stress, low-intensity cyclic fire, wind, ice, and lightning are the most frequently occurring natural disturbances which affect vegetative composition within and among occurrences of this community (Nelson 1985, TNC 1995a). Droughty conditions occur during summer months and are often prolonged and severe. This forest has probably extended its range due to successional encroachment to woody species into woodlands and glades. This encroachment is attributed to the unnatural suppression of fire. Succession on the sites where this type occurs is relatively slow, with establishment of small numbers of Quercus alba, Quercus velutina, and Carya glabra, and a decline in Carya texana (Fralish 1988). Despite closure due to lack of fire, these sites retain much of their presettlement character (Fralish et al. 1991).
Environmental Description: This community is found on dry upper slopes and ridgetops. Bedrock is most often igneous materials or chert which suggests neutral to slightly acidic pH. Soils are typically shallow, droughty, and infertile. Bedrock pavement, boulders, cobble, gravel, and sand are strewn over the surface, contributing significantly to soil droughtiness and increased soil temperatures (Nelson 1985, TNC 1995a). Soils most commonly encountered are udalfs and udults. Hapludults are the typical soils found on ridgetops, benches, and upper slopes where this community occurs. These soils have a mesic temperature regime and udic moisture regime (TNC 1995a). Paleozoic marine deposits most often found where this forest occurs include chert (or cherty residuum) weathered from dolomite or limestone, shale, and less commonly sandstone, limestone, or coal. Bedrock can be igneous material, including granite, felsite, rhyolite, and dellenite. Rock fragments, cobbles, and/or boulders are often strewn over the surface (TNC 1995a). The key environmental variables affecting species composition in this community are elevated temperatures and limited moisture availability. Bedrock and associated soil chemistry also determine floristic composition (TNC 1995a).
Geographic Range: This community is found in Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Reports from southwest Ohio need verification.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, IL, IN, KY, MO, OK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689549
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.c White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G159 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3290 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - White Oak Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance | A3290 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002075 Post Oak - Blackjack Oak - (Pignut Hickory, Black Hickory) / Farkleberry Forest | CEGL002075 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: Merged into
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Carya (glabra, texana) / Vaccinium arboreum Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
< Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica / Danthonia community (Voigt and Mohlenbrock 1964)
< Eastern Broadleaf Forests: 100: Oak-Hickory Forest (Quercus-Carya) (Küchler 1964)
< Post Oak - Blackjack Oak: 40 (Eyre 1980)
< Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica / Danthonia community (Voigt and Mohlenbrock 1964)
< Eastern Broadleaf Forests: 100: Oak-Hickory Forest (Quercus-Carya) (Küchler 1964)
< Post Oak - Blackjack Oak: 40 (Eyre 1980)
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