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CEGL004159 Juniperus ashei Ruderal Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ashe''s Juniper Ruderal Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This semi-natural association is found on level to rolling terrain in the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. It may also be found within the range of Juniperus ashei in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. It is a result of altered ecological processes including, but not limited to, land-clearing or heavy grazing pressures followed by juniper invasion and fire suppression. It occupies areas that are believed to have historically supported grasslands or woodlands with high cover of Schizachyrium scoparium. Canopy closure and height are variable, as are shrub and herbaceous associates. Typically, a single age-class of Juniperus ashei dominates this association, comprising greater than 90% cover of the canopy or shrub strata. Less than 10% of the canopy may be composed of scattered individuals of Quercus fusiformis, Quercus buckleyi, Ulmus crassifolia, Fraxinus albicans, and Quercus stellata. Shrub cover, of species other than Juniperus ashei, is low but may include Rhus lanceolata, Baccharis neglecta, Forestiera pubescens, Mahonia trifoliolata, Rhus trilobata, Cornus drummondii, and Opuntia engelmannii. Herbaceous cover varies depending on density of woody cover. Common species in the more open-canopy stands include Carex planostachys, Brickellia cylindracea, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus compositus, and several exotic grass species, especially Bothriochloa ischaemum. Patchy exposures of bare ground are common and a dense layer of juniper needles may also be present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The prevalence of Juniperus ashei has likely increased since presettlement times in some areas of central Texas. This is speculated to have resulted from several factors, including overgrazing and altered fire regimes. Juniper-dominated woodlands over shallow soils on slopes and mesas should be classified as the appropriate natural association: ~Juniperus ashei - Quercus buckleyi Woodland (CEGL004172)$$ for slopes and ~Juniperus ashei - Quercus sinuata var. breviloba Woodland (CEGL004170)$$ for mesatops. This association is not intended to include open woodlands (for example, ~Quercus stellata - (Quercus marilandica, Ulmus crassifolia) / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland (CEGL004176)$$) invaded by Juniperus ashei.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is strongly dominated (more than 90% of woody cover) by Juniperus ashei. Other species that may occasionally occur in the canopy include Quercus fusiformis, Quercus buckleyi, Ulmus crassifolia, Fraxinus albicans (= Fraxinus texensis), and Quercus stellata. Scattered shrubs may include Rhus lanceolata, Baccharis neglecta, Forestiera pubescens, Mahonia trifoliolata (= Berberis trifoliolata), Rhus trilobata, Cornus drummondii, Yucca pallida, and Opuntia engelmannii. Herbaceous ground cover is variable and often sparse and may include Carex planostachys, Brickellia cylindracea, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus compositus, Bouteloua hirsuta, and Bouteloua hirsuta var. pectinata (= Bouteloua pectinata), among others.
Dynamics: Fire is thought to have played a significant role in limiting the occurrence of this association. Lack of fire, among other factors, is speculated to have resulted in an increase in the prevalence and dominance of Juniperus ashei since presettlement times in some areas of central Texas. Once Juniperus ashei individuals are taller than 2 m, fire alone will likely not restore the original grasslands; mechanical clearing followed by fire is probably necessary.
Environmental Description: This community occurs in a variety of fire-suppressed disturbed settings including old fields, pastures, successional cleared land, and other various disturbed areas on deeper soils derived from limestone.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. It may also be found within the range of Juniperus ashei in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR?, MO?, OK?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.801747
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Black Locust - Tuliptree - Norway Maple Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M013 | 1.B.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.90.a Eastern Red-cedar - Tuliptree / Tatarian Honeysuckle Ruderal Forest Group | G030 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A2023 Ashe''s Juniper Southeast Great Plains Ruderal Forest Alliance | A2023 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Association | CEGL004159 Ashe''s Juniper Ruderal Forest | CEGL004159 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.