Print Report
CEGL002433 Quercus alba / Carex pensylvanica - Carex ouachitana Dwarf Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Oak / Pennsylvania Sedge - Ouachita Mountain Sedge Dwarf Forest
Colloquial Name: Ouachita Mountains Dwarf White Oak Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is characterized by a nearly continuous canopy of gnarled Quercus alba, 2.5-5.0 m tall, in the highest elevations of the Ouachita Mountains (above 790 m [2600 feet] on Mount Magazine, and above 730 m [2400 feet]) on Rich and Black Fork mountains, and other locations, in Arkansas and Oklahoma). Quercus rubra, Quercus stellata, Carya texana, Quercus marilandica may occur as minor components of the canopy. The understory is relatively open in areas, but on north-facing slopes shrubs are abundant. Ground cover is generally sparse and may have a mosaic of sedge-dominated and lichen/moss-dominated areas. Associated woody species of minor importance include Amelanchier arborea, Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Sassafras albidum, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, Rubus spp., Nyssa sylvatica, Hamamelis virginiana, Rhus copallinum, Rhus glabra, Pinus echinata, Chionanthus virginicus, Ulmus alata, Smilax spp., and Rubus spp. Herbaceous species include Carex pensylvanica, Carex ouachitana, Carex albicans var. albicans, Carex nigromarginata, Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Elymus spp., Maianthemum racemosum, Hypericum sp., Baptisia sp., Cynoglossum virginianum var. virginianum, Agalinis sp., Dichanthelium spp., Solidago ulmifolia, and Solidago spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community has been variously interpreted as a forest and as a shrubland; the canopy is generally under 5 m tall, but the growth form is as dwarf trees.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is characterized by a nearly continuous canopy of gnarled Quercus alba, 2.5-5.0 m tall. Quercus rubra, Quercus stellata, Carya texana, Quercus marilandica may occur as minor components of the canopy. The understory is relatively open in areas, but on north-facing slopes shrubs are abundant. Ground cover is generally sparse and may have a mosaic of sedge-dominated and lichen/moss-dominated areas. Associated woody species of minor importance include Amelanchier arborea, Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Sassafras albidum, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium stamineum, Rubus spp., Nyssa sylvatica, Hamamelis virginiana, Rhus copallinum, Rhus glabra, Pinus echinata, Chionanthus virginicus, Ulmus alata, Smilax spp., and Rubus spp. Herbaceous species include Carex pensylvanica, Carex ouachitana, Carex albicans var. albicans, Carex nigromarginata, Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Elymus spp., Maianthemum racemosum, Hypericum sp., Baptisia sp., Cynoglossum virginianum var. virginianum, Agalinis sp., Dichanthelium spp., Solidago ulmifolia, and Solidago spp.
Dynamics: High winds and ice pruning are thought to be important factors in contributing to the stunted appearance of these forests.
Environmental Description: This community occurs over sandstone on dry ridges and south-facing slopes in the highest portions of the Ouachita Mountains. It is found above 790 m (2600 feet) on Mount Magazine, and above 730 m (2400 feet) on Rich and Black Fork mountains, and other locations, in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Soils are shallow to absent, excessively drained, acidic and loamy.
Geographic Range: This community is restricted to the highest elevations in the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, OK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689799
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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 | A3288 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak Ozark-Ouachita Forest Alliance | A3288 | 1.B.2.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL002433 White Oak / Pennsylvania Sedge - Ouachita Mountain Sedge Dwarf Forest | CEGL002433 | 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: ? IB4a. Dwarf White Oak Woodland (Allard 1990)
= T1B4bI. Quercus alba (stunted) (Foti et al. 1994)
= T1B4bI. Quercus alba (stunted) (Foti et al. 1994)
- 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.
- Foti, T., M. Blaney, X. Li, and K. G. Smith. 1994. A classification system for the natural vegetation of Arkansas. Proceedings of the Arkansas Academy of Science 48:50-53.
- Foti, T., compiler. 1994b. Natural vegetation classification system of Arkansas, draft five. Unpublished document. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock. 8 pp.
- Glenn, S. 1990. Community characterization abstract: Dwarf Quercus alba forest. Oklahoma Biological Survey, Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 1 p.
- Hoagland, B. 2000. The vegetation of Oklahoma: A classification for landscape mapping and conservation planning. The Southwestern Naturalist 45(4):385-420.
- Hoagland, B. W. 1997. Preliminary plant community classification for Oklahoma. Unpublished draft document, version 35629. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 47 pp.
- Johnson, F. L. 1986b. Woody vegetation of southeastern Leflore County, Oklahoma, in relation to topography. Proceedings of the Oklahoma Academy of Science 66:1-6.
- Nuttall, T. 1821. A journal of travels into the Arkansas territory during the year 1819. T. H. Palmer, Philadelphia. (Re-published 1980. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman.)
- Palmer, E. J. 1924. The ligneous flora of Rich Mountain, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Journal of the Arnold Arboretum 5:108-134.
- Pell, W. F., and J. H. Rettig, compiler. 1983. Arkansas natural community abstracts. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock. 37 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.