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CEGL004052 Pinus echinata - Quercus falcata East Gulf Coastal Plain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak East Gulf Coastal Plain Forest
Colloquial Name: East Gulf Coastal Plain Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is one of several documented types of shortleaf pine - hardwood forests in the Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain. Stands are dominated by Pinus echinata, often with a significant hardwood component. The most characteristic hardwood, often the second most important overstory tree, is Quercus falcata. Other tree species may also be encountered in typical stands of this type, but they are generally lacking from the overstory or found only in limited abundance. Some stands may have Quercus montana as a component. A number of subcanopy, shrub, and herbaceous species may also be present; the specific floristic composition may vary among stands based on a number of factors. This type should be compared to other Pinus echinata communities of the region; stands with high cover values of white oak are generally accommodated by ~Pinus echinata - Quercus alba - Carya tomentosa East Gulf Coastal Plain Forest (CEGL004050)$$. Stands of this association are subject to frequent prescribed burning on the Tombigbee National Forest (Mississippi), and many are managed for red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) on the adjacent Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Further work is needed to ascertain the northern distribution of this type. It may extend into Tennessee.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory of this community is generally rather low in species diversity. Pinus echinata may be the only pine species present or, in some cases, Pinus taeda may also be present. Quercus falcata is often the second most important overstory tree present (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Other tree species may also be encountered in typical stands of this type, but they are generally lacking from the overstory or found only in limited abundance. Some stands may have Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus) as a component. Other woody species may include Quercus stellata and Cornus florida. Documented species in the shrub layer include Ulmus alata, Prunus serotina, and Vaccinium arboreum.
Dynamics: The structure and composition of this community were probably maintained by fairly frequent historical fire regimes. Given long periods of fire suppression, and/or only infrequent winter burning, the total stand density increases, and relative abundance and importance of Pinus echinata decreases. Some examples may be invaded by Pinus taeda under such circumstances. Stands managed with fire on the Tombigbee National Forest may provide insight into the historical structure and composition of this community. Heavy midstory treatments for red-cockaded woodpecker on the adjacent Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge may be producing a different species composition and structure (R. Evans pers. obs.).
Environmental Description: This community occurs most commonly on upper slopes and ridges with sandy or loamy soils with acidic surface pH and moderate nutrient levels. Most known examples occur near the center of the Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain in Mississippi. Known stands occur north of the range of longleaf pine and east of the predominantly loess soils.
Geographic Range: This type is primarily found in the Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain of Mississippi, but likely ranges into adjacent Alabama, and may range into Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. It could range into the East Gulf Coastal Plain.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, FL?, GA?, LA?, MS, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.720833
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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 | A3270 Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak Upper Coastal Plain Woodland Alliance | A3270 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL004052 Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak East Gulf Coastal Plain Forest | CEGL004052 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Evans, Rob. Personal communication. Regional Ecologist, Plant Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Raleigh, NC.
- MSNHP [Mississippi Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Ecological communities of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Jackson, MS. 9 pp.
- McWilliams, W. H. 1992. Forest resources of Alabama. Resource Bulletin SO-170. USDA Forest Service, Southern Forest Experiment Station, New Orleans, LA. 78 pp.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Nordman, C., M. Russo, and L. Smart. 2011. Vegetation types of the Natchez Trace Parkway, based on the U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe Central Databases (International Ecological Classification Standard: Terrestrial Ecological Classifications). Arlington, VA. Data current as of 11 April 2011. 548 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.