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CEGL008406 Quercus stellata - Pinus virginiana / (Schizachyrium scoparium, Piptochaetium avenaceum) Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Post Oak - Virginia Pine / (Little Bluestem, Blackseed Speargrass) Woodland
Colloquial Name: Red Knobs Sandstone Post Oak - Virginia Pine Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents Ridge and Valley woodlands found on the "Red Knobs" landform in the vicinity of Little Toqua Creek in the Cherokee National Forest. These knobs are composed of red calcareous sandstone. The reddish soils are of the Tellico Soil Series, which consists of well-drained soils on high hills and knobs, formed in residuum from reddish, calcareous sandstone, which contains seams of sandy shale. These knobs are from 275-300 m (900-1000 feet) high and are capped by a series of openings with xeric vegetation dominated by Quercus stellata and Pinus virginiana. Canopy closure is variable; the knobs with lower canopy closure exhibit an herbaceous stratum dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium and/or Piptochaetium avenaceum. These open woodlands have a grass- and forb-dominated understory, exhibiting a barrens-like appearance. The most notable and characteristic species in this stratum are Andropogon gerardii, Lithospermum canescens and Manfreda virginica. Other herbaceous species include Agrimonia sp., Antennaria sp., Arabis laevigata, Minuartia patula?, Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias viridiflora, Asteraceae spp., Bidens sp., Desmodium rotundifolium, Desmodium sp., Dichanthelium boscii, Eutrochium fistulosum, Euphorbia corollata, Geranium carolinianum, Helianthus hirsutus, Helianthus sp., Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule, Hypoxis hirsuta, Lespedeza sp., Parthenium integrifolium, Penstemon canescens, Phlox amoena, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Sanicula sp., Packera anonyma, Sphenopholis nitida?, Tephrosia virginiana, and Verbena simplex.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Review type with Georgia. Ecological System assignment to ~Allegheny-Cumberland Dry Oak Forest and Woodland (CES202.359)$$ and not ~Southern Appalachian Low-Elevation Pine Forest (CES202.332)$$ seems appropriate.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is variable in closure and is dominated by Quercus stellata and Pinus virginiana. Georgia examples include Quercus alba, Pinus echinata, and Carya glabra and tend to be of a more acidic composition. Examples with lower canopy closure have an herbaceous stratum dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium and/or Piptochaetium avenaceum (= Stipa avenacea). The most notable and characteristic species in this stratum are Andropogon gerardii, Lithospermum canescens, and Manfreda virginica. Other herbaceous species include Agrimonia sp., Antennaria sp., Arabis laevigata, Minuartia patula (= Arenaria patula), Asclepias tuberosa, Asclepias viridiflora, Bidens sp., Desmodium rotundifolium, Desmodium sp., Dichanthelium boscii, Eutrochium fistulosum (= Eupatorium fistulosum), Euphorbia corollata, Geranium carolinianum, Helianthus hirsutus, Helianthus sp., Hypericum hypericoides ssp. multicaule (= Hypericum stragulum), Hypoxis hirsuta, Lespedeza sp., Parthenium integrifolium, Penstemon canescens, Phlox amoena, Pycnanthemum tenuifolium, Sanicula sp., Packera anonyma (= Senecio anonymus), Sphenopholis nitida?, Tephrosia virginiana, and Verbena simplex. Most examples likely have had fire excluded (or at least not promoted), and dominance by Pinus virginiana could be a symptom of this.
Dynamics: Fire had a poorly understood but likely important role in this community, and almost all examples have had fire excluded. The present range of this community is probably very close to its presettlement range, but lack of fire permits increased dominance by woody species. Most individual examples are about 2 acres in extent; the total acreage of this type may be less than 500 acres.
Environmental Description: This vegetation is found on the "Red Knobs" landform in the vicinity of Little Toqua Creek in the Cherokee National Forest, which is composed of red calcareous sandstone. The reddish soils are of the Tellico Soil Series, which consists of well-drained soils on high hills and knobs, formed in residuum from reddish, calcareous sandstone, which contains seams of sandy shale. These knobs are from 275 to 300 m (900-1000 feet) high.
Geographic Range: This type is restricted to very scattered and small sites in the Ridge and Valley of Tennessee and adjacent Georgia in the Southern Cumberlands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689602
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.c White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G159 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A3291 Post Oak - Southern Red Oak - White Oak Interior Low Plateau Woodland Alliance | A3291 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL008406 Post Oak - Virginia Pine / (Little Bluestem, Blackseed Speargrass) Woodland | CEGL008406 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Major, C. Smoot. Personal communication. Ecologist. Tennessee Natural Heritage Division, Nashville.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.