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CEGL005018 Quercus falcata - Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Southern Red Oak - White Oak - Post Oak - Black Oak Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern Red Oak - Mixed Oak Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dry-mesic southern red oak - mixed oak forest type is found in the central United States in the unglaciated Interior Low Plateau. Stands occur on the upper slopes and ridgetops of moderately to maturely dissected hills, where they occupy narrow bands of dry-mesic habitat transitional between lower and midslope mesic communities and xeric ridgetops. Soils are most often a well-drained sandy loam, although clay loams are not uncommon. Bedrock is predominantly Paleozoic sandstone of Pennsylvanian age and is often exposed; the association may also occur on siltstone, shale, or coal, or over Mississippian limestones, especially in the southern part of its range. Karst topography can be found in areas where this community occurs. The vegetation is dominated by a closed-tree canopy. Quercus alba, Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus velutina are among the oaks which dominate this dry-mesic forest. Quercus falcata reaches the northern extent of its range within this community. Other tree species include Carya ovata, Carya glabra, and Carya tomentosa. The density and diversity of subcanopy, shrub, and herbaceous species are substantially less than are found in mesic forests due to limited moisture availability during most of the growing season. Typical shrubs and small trees include Cornus florida and Sassafras albidum. Common herbaceous species include Sanicula canadensis, Desmodium nudiflorum, Desmodium nuttallii, Symphyotrichum urophyllum, Symphyotrichum patens, Solidago ulmifolia, and Podophyllum peltatum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: More information is needed to distinguish this association from those recognized in the Southeast, such as ~Quercus falcata - Quercus alba - Carya tomentosa / Oxydendrum arboreum / Vaccinium stamineum Forest (CEGL007244)$$ and ~Quercus falcata - Quercus (coccinea, stellata) / Vaccinium (pallidum, stamineum) Forest (CEGL007247)$$. The type does not appear to occur in the Ozark region, and in Arkansas, Quercus falcata is more common in the coastal plain. Selective removal of oaks for sawtimber can cause shifts in tree species dominance, thereby creating classification difficulties. Quercus falcata is a key dominant distinguishing this oak type from others. Braun (1950, p. 154-158) noted the prominence of Quercus falcata and Quercus alba on the low hills of the Mississippi Embayment Section of her Western Mesophytic Forest Region as well as in the Mississippian Plateau (TNC 1995a).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Physiognomic variation among and within this community is affected by topographic position (from ravine to ridge). Tall shrubs are 0.5-5 m tall.
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by a closed-tree canopy. Quercus alba, Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus velutina are among the oaks which dominate this dry-mesic forest. Quercus falcata reaches the northern extent of its range within this community. Other tree species include Carya ovata, Carya glabra, and Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba). The density and diversity of subcanopy, shrub, and herbaceous species are substantially less than are found in mesic forests due to limited moisture availability during most of the growing season. Typical shrubs and small trees include Cornus florida and Sassafras albidum. Common herbaceous species include Sanicula canadensis, Desmodium nudiflorum, Desmodium nuttallii, Symphyotrichum urophyllum (= Aster sagittifolius), Symphyotrichum patens (= Aster patens), Solidago ulmifolia, and Podophyllum peltatum.
White oak may comprise nearly 50% of the composition of midslope forest communities, while black oak contributes more significantly in upper slope forests, particularly where canopy closure is less than 100%. Small patches of almost pure black oak are occasionally found within the forest. Vegetative dominance on low slopes includes species which prefer transitional zones between dry-mesic and mesic conditions and include Quercus alba and Quercus rubra. Species which select sites transitional from midslope to ridgetop where soils become dry include Quercus velutina, Quercus stellata, and Quercus marilandica.
White oak may comprise nearly 50% of the composition of midslope forest communities, while black oak contributes more significantly in upper slope forests, particularly where canopy closure is less than 100%. Small patches of almost pure black oak are occasionally found within the forest. Vegetative dominance on low slopes includes species which prefer transitional zones between dry-mesic and mesic conditions and include Quercus alba and Quercus rubra. Species which select sites transitional from midslope to ridgetop where soils become dry include Quercus velutina, Quercus stellata, and Quercus marilandica.
Dynamics: Historically, fire may have periodically affected this community, increasing its range into more moist sites (Fralish et al. 1991, Robertson and Heikens 1994). Fires in the Shawnee and Ozark Hills just north of the range of this type were more frequent (almost annual) from the early 1900s to 1930, but there is little information on presettlement (prior to 1800) fire frequency (Robertson and Heikens 1994). Erosion also converts mesic forest soils to dry-mesic, creating conditions which may favor the occurrence of this community.
This community is a climax community where dry-mesic conditions dominate on mid to upper slopes of eastern oak - hickory associations. Logging and fire select for the occurrence of this community on more moist sites. Erosion can also affect soil water-holding capacity, converting mesic soils to dry-mesic, which creates conditions favoring the occurrence of this forest. Drier conditions and canopy openings increase the occurrence of black oak, while more moist conditions favor white oak. Variation in annual rainfall can affect this community. Periods of drought may decrease herbaceous diversity and increase tree senescence.
This community is a climax community where dry-mesic conditions dominate on mid to upper slopes of eastern oak - hickory associations. Logging and fire select for the occurrence of this community on more moist sites. Erosion can also affect soil water-holding capacity, converting mesic soils to dry-mesic, which creates conditions favoring the occurrence of this forest. Drier conditions and canopy openings increase the occurrence of black oak, while more moist conditions favor white oak. Variation in annual rainfall can affect this community. Periods of drought may decrease herbaceous diversity and increase tree senescence.
Environmental Description: Stands occur on the upper slopes and ridgetops of moderately to maturely dissected hills, where they occupy narrow bands of dry-mesic habitat transitional between lower and midslope mesic communities and xeric ridgetops. Soils are most often well-drained sandy loam, although clay loams are not uncommon. Bedrock is predominantly Paleozoic sandstone of Pennsylvanian age and is often exposed; the association may also occur on siltstone, shale, or coal, or over Mississippian limestones, especially in the southern part of its range (Kentucky). Karst topography can be found in areas where this community occurs. This community coincides with the northernmost extension of the range for southern red oak. Its distribution is patchy, occurring on south- to west-facing slopes where increased temperatures favor Quercus falcata over Quercus rubra.
This community typically occurs on well-drained sandy loam soils that are often, although not always, shallow. Exposed bedrock is commonly encountered in this community and is especially prominent on upper slopes near sandstone escarpments. Soil characteristics were determined from county soil maps, field data, and soil cores. Root penetration is often limited by bedrock. Listed soil types are broad categories within which a very diverse assortment of individual soils occur. Variation in annual rainfall can affect this community. Periods of drought may decrease herbaceous diversity and increase tree senescence.
Bedrock is Paleozoic sandstone, siltstone, shale, and coal, with occasional outcrops of Mississippian limestone. The Interior Low Plateau is a series of cuestas with prominent escarpments where elevations seldom exceed 305 m (1000 feet). Pennsylvanian sandstone is the most frequently occurring bedrock and is often underlain by limestone. Dissolution of limestone near the surface and subsequent sinks are responsible for karst topography which is prevalent throughout the Interior Low Plateau forests. The Appalachian Plateau (particularly the unglaciated section) is bounded on all sides by outfacing escarpments. Elevations are highest in this section, reaching 1220 m (4000 feet), but averaging 365-400 m (1200-1300 feet). Limestones are uncommon here, so karst topography is uncommon. Valleys display a well-developed dendritic drainage.
This community typically occurs on well-drained sandy loam soils that are often, although not always, shallow. Exposed bedrock is commonly encountered in this community and is especially prominent on upper slopes near sandstone escarpments. Soil characteristics were determined from county soil maps, field data, and soil cores. Root penetration is often limited by bedrock. Listed soil types are broad categories within which a very diverse assortment of individual soils occur. Variation in annual rainfall can affect this community. Periods of drought may decrease herbaceous diversity and increase tree senescence.
Bedrock is Paleozoic sandstone, siltstone, shale, and coal, with occasional outcrops of Mississippian limestone. The Interior Low Plateau is a series of cuestas with prominent escarpments where elevations seldom exceed 305 m (1000 feet). Pennsylvanian sandstone is the most frequently occurring bedrock and is often underlain by limestone. Dissolution of limestone near the surface and subsequent sinks are responsible for karst topography which is prevalent throughout the Interior Low Plateau forests. The Appalachian Plateau (particularly the unglaciated section) is bounded on all sides by outfacing escarpments. Elevations are highest in this section, reaching 1220 m (4000 feet), but averaging 365-400 m (1200-1300 feet). Limestones are uncommon here, so karst topography is uncommon. Valleys display a well-developed dendritic drainage.
Geographic Range: This dry-mesic southern red oak - mixed oak forest type is found in the central United States in the unglaciated parts of the Interior Low Plateau region of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: IL, IN?, KY, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689852
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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 | CEGL005018 Southern Red Oak - White Oak - Post Oak - Black Oak Forest | CEGL005018 | 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: = Quercus falcata - Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina Forest (TNC 1995a)
= Quercus falcata - Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
< Eastern Broadleaf Forests: 100: Oak-Hickory Forest (Quercus-Carya) (Küchler 1964)
< Western Mesophytic Forest (Braun 1950) [Western Mesophytic Forest relies on moisture availability and geographic region to define a community. A broad range of species occur in this community.]
= Quercus falcata - Quercus alba - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
< Eastern Broadleaf Forests: 100: Oak-Hickory Forest (Quercus-Carya) (Küchler 1964)
< Western Mesophytic Forest (Braun 1950) [Western Mesophytic Forest relies on moisture availability and geographic region to define a community. A broad range of species occur in this community.]
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