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CEGL004168 Quercus fusiformis - Quercus buckleyi - Ulmus crassifolia / Schizachyrium scoparium Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Texas Live Oak - Texas Red Oak - Cedar Elm / Little Bluestem Woodland
Colloquial Name: Edwards Plateau Oak - Cedar Elm / Little Bluestem Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs on gentle slopes in the eastern Edwards Plateau of central Texas, generally over soils in the Adobe range site (Doss and Ekrant calcareous clay loam soils). The canopy is usually dominated by a combination of Quercus fusiformis, Quercus buckleyi, and Ulmus crassifolia. Other canopy species include Celtis laevigata. Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica may be present, especially close to the boundaries with coarser soils. Canopy density depends on the disturbance history (especially fire) of the site. With long-term fire suppression, Juniperus ashei can become a canopy dominant. Characteristic understory species include Cercis canadensis var. texensis, Forestiera pubescens, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Diospyros texana, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron radicans, and Lonicera albiflora. Rhus lanceolata and Baccharis neglecta may be abundant, especially after recent disturbance. Herbaceous cover is high when the tree canopy is relatively open, but declines with invasion by Juniperus ashei. Understory grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua curtipendula, Nassella leucotricha, Aristida purpurea, and Aristida oligantha. Forbs are diverse (though cover may be low) and include Liatris punctata var. mucronata, Stillingia texana, Symphyotrichum ericoides, Stenaria nigricans, Monarda citriodora, and Salvia texana.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This description is based on data collected at Fort Hood, Texas. However, fire suppression and subsequent invasion by Juniperus ashei may make this community difficult to recognize. Further work is necessary to identify the geographic range of this association. This association is supported by the following vegetation data where Quercus fusiformis codominates a mixed canopy with other oaks and cedar elm: Transects: 245, 253, 242, 262; Observations plots: WR82, WR80, WR1, ER5?, NF34.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is usually dominated by a combination of Quercus fusiformis, Quercus buckleyi, and Ulmus crassifolia. Other canopy species include Celtis laevigata. Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica may be present, especially close to the boundaries with sandier soils. Canopy density depends on the disturbance history (especially fire) of the site. With long-term fire suppression, Juniperus ashei can become a canopy dominant. Characteristic understory species include Cercis canadensis var. texensis, Forestiera pubescens, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Diospyros texana, Rhus trilobata, Toxicodendron radicans, and Lonicera albiflora. Rhus lanceolata and Baccharis neglecta may be abundant, especially after recent disturbance. Herbaceous cover is high when the tree canopy is relatively open, but declines with invasion by Juniperus ashei. Understory grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua curtipendula, Nassella leucotricha, Aristida purpurea, and Aristida oligantha. Forbs are diverse (though cover may be low) and include Liatris punctata var. mucronata (= Liatris mucronata), Stillingia texana, Symphyotrichum ericoides (= Aster ericoides), Stenaria nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans), Monarda citriodora, and Salvia texana.
Dynamics: Canopy density depends on the disturbance history (especially fire) of the site. With long-term fire suppression, Juniperus ashei can become a canopy dominant. Frequent fire will maintain an open woodland, with shrub cover under larger trees and high cover of grasses between the trees. Repeated high-intensity burns could convert this woodland into a grassland.
Environmental Description: This community occurs on gentle slopes and rolling hills in the eastern Edwards Plateau of central Texas, generally over soils in the Adobe and sometimes the Stony Clay Loam range sites at Fort Hood.
Geographic Range: This community occurs in the eastern Edwards Plateau of central Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.801767
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nd Madrean-Balconian Forest & Woodland Division | D060 | 1.B.1.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nd.3 Texas Red Oak - Texas Live Oak - Ashe''s Juniper Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M015 | 1.B.1.Nd.3 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nd.3.a Texas Live Oak - Ashe''s Juniper Dry Forest & Woodland Group | G126 | 1.B.1.Nd.3.a |
| Alliance | A0477 Texas Live Oak - Ashe''s Juniper Woodland Alliance | A0477 | 1.B.1.Nd.3.a |
| Association | CEGL004168 Texas Live Oak - Texas Red Oak - Cedar Elm / Little Bluestem Woodland | CEGL004168 | 1.B.1.Nd.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IB3c. Plateau Live Oak Woodland (Allard 1990)
< Plateau Live Oak-Midgrass Series (Diamond 1993)
< Plateau Live Oak-Midgrass Series (Diamond 1993)
- 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.
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.