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CEGL004247 (Quercus sinuata) / Sorghastrum nutans - Ratibida pinnata - Stenaria nigricans var. nigricans - (Glandularia bipinnatifida) Georgia Chalk Prairie Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Bastard Oak) / Indiangrass - Pinnate Prairie Coneflower - Diamond-flowers - (Dakota Mock Vervain) Georgia Chalk Prairie Grassland
Colloquial Name: Georgia Eocene Chalk Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This herbaceous association includes tallgrass prairies on the Fort Valley Plateau of Houston, Peach, Twiggs, and Bleckley counties in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia on "gumbo flats" over Sumter soils. There is substantial variation in composition due to edaphic factors, fire suppression and disturbance. This community occurs on calcareous soils of the Dry Branch, Tivola and Ocmulgee formations of late Eocene origin. The Ocmulgee Formation, previously known as Cooper Marl in Georgia, is a combination of indurated and argillaceous limestone that also falls within the Ocala Group. Calcareous soils are the main abiotic factor driving the occurrence of blackland prairie vegetation within Georgia. The shrink-swell clays and alkaline pH of these soils account for a distinctive suite of vegetation not found elsewhere in the state. The Sumter Series most commonly underlies these prairie sites and consists of shallow, alkaline, moderately well-drained silty clays underlain by marl, chalk, or limestone. The Oktibbeha, Boswell, and Susquehanna series are also present to a lesser extent and occur together in intricate patterns. The nine prairies found on Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area and Oaky Woods Wildlife Management Area represent the only blackland prairies in Georgia occurring on protected lands. These areas may be subjected to development if the currently projected (2008) transfer of leased timberland to private interests occurs.
The dominant vegetation consists of a variety of native grasses usually dominated by Sorghastrum nutans. Other important grasses include Andropogon gerardii, Aristida purpurascens, Eragrostis spectabilis, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Sporobolus clandestinus, Sporobolus junceus, Sporobolus vaginiflorus, Tridens flavus, and Tripsacum dactyloides. The disjunct prairie grass Bouteloua curtipendula is present in at least one occurrence. In addition, a large number of state-listed rare or disjunct prairie herbaceous perennials also occur. Prominent among these are Draba cuneifolia, Galium virgatum, Glandularia bipinnatifida, Ophioglossum engelmannii, Polygala boykinii, Scutellaria drummondii, Spermolepis inermis, Symphyotrichum georgianum, Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, and Thaspium barbinode. Woody cover in these grasslands varies considerably due to edaphic factors, disturbance and fire suppression. Characteristic species that might be abundant to sparse include Celtis tenuifolia, Cercis canadensis, Cornus asperifolia, Crataegus crus-galli, Crataegus spathulata, Crataegus triflora, Diospyros virginiana, Frangula caroliniana, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus sinuata, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Ulmus alata, and Viburnum rufidulum. Common vines include Berchemia scandens and Cocculus carolinus.
The dominant vegetation consists of a variety of native grasses usually dominated by Sorghastrum nutans. Other important grasses include Andropogon gerardii, Aristida purpurascens, Eragrostis spectabilis, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Sporobolus clandestinus, Sporobolus junceus, Sporobolus vaginiflorus, Tridens flavus, and Tripsacum dactyloides. The disjunct prairie grass Bouteloua curtipendula is present in at least one occurrence. In addition, a large number of state-listed rare or disjunct prairie herbaceous perennials also occur. Prominent among these are Draba cuneifolia, Galium virgatum, Glandularia bipinnatifida, Ophioglossum engelmannii, Polygala boykinii, Scutellaria drummondii, Spermolepis inermis, Symphyotrichum georgianum, Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, and Thaspium barbinode. Woody cover in these grasslands varies considerably due to edaphic factors, disturbance and fire suppression. Characteristic species that might be abundant to sparse include Celtis tenuifolia, Cercis canadensis, Cornus asperifolia, Crataegus crus-galli, Crataegus spathulata, Crataegus triflora, Diospyros virginiana, Frangula caroliniana, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus sinuata, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Ulmus alata, and Viburnum rufidulum. Common vines include Berchemia scandens and Cocculus carolinus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This vegetation was initially treated (by Jon Ambrose [GANHP]) as a disjunct example of prairies of the Black Belt in Alabama and Mississippi, i.e., ~Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Dalea candida - Liatris squarrosa - (Silphium terebinthinaceum) Black Belt Grassland (CEGL004664)$$. Lee Echols concluded that geologic formations associated with Georgia chalk prairies differ considerably: Black Belt prairies are primarily underlain by members of the Selma Chalk Group dating to the Upper Cretaceous, while Georgia chalk prairies are associated with limestone deposits of Eocene (Lower Tertiary) origin. Several characteristic and dominant Black Belt Prairie species are also noticeably absent from Georgia chalk prairies, including Schizachyrium scoparium and Dalea spp.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The dominant vegetation consists of a variety of native grasses usually dominated by Sorghastrum nutans. Other important grasses include Andropogon gerardii, Aristida purpurascens, Eragrostis spectabilis, Muhlenbergia capillaris, Sporobolus clandestinus, Sporobolus junceus, Sporobolus vaginiflorus, Tridens flavus, and Tripsacum dactyloides. The disjunct prairie grass Bouteloua curtipendula is present in at least one occurrence. In addition, a large number of state-listed rare or disjunct prairie herbaceous perennials also occur. Prominent among these are Draba cuneifolia, Galium virgatum, Glandularia bipinnatifida, Ophioglossum engelmannii, Polygala boykinii, Scutellaria drummondii, Spermolepis inermis, Symphyotrichum georgianum, Symphyotrichum laeve var. concinnum, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, and Thaspium barbinode (= Thaspium chapmanii). Other characteristic or dominant herbaceous species include Agalinis tenuifolia, Asclepias viridiflora, Asclepias viridis, Asclepias verticillata, Asclepias tuberosa, Erigeron strigosus, Stenaria nigricans var. nigricans (= Hedyotis nigricans var. nigricans), Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Ratibida pinnata, Rudbeckia hirta, Salvia azurea, Salvia lyrata, Silphium asteriscus var. laevicaule (= Silphium asteriscus var. dentata), Solidago nemoralis, and Symphyotrichum undulatum. Woody cover in these grasslands varies considerably due to edaphic factors, disturbance and fire suppression. Characteristic species that might be abundant to sparse include Celtis tenuifolia, Cercis canadensis, Cornus asperifolia, Crataegus crus-galli, Crataegus spathulata, Crataegus triflora, Diospyros virginiana, Frangula caroliniana (= Rhamnus caroliniana), Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus sinuata, Sideroxylon lanuginosum (= Bumelia lanuginosa), Ulmus alata, and Viburnum rufidulum. Common vines include Berchemia scandens and Cocculus carolinus.
Dynamics: This community is susceptible to encroachment from woody plants and requires periodic burning to maintain its open structure. Native perennial grasses, especially Andropogon gerardii, significantly increased in cover after two annual prescribed burns in one prairie site within Oaky Woods WMA.
Environmental Description: This tallgrass prairie community occurs in the Fort Valley Plateau of Bleckley, Houston, Peach, and Twiggs counties in the South Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia on "gumbo flats" of the calcareous soils of the Sumter Series. The Ocmulgee Formation, previously known as Cooper Marl in Georgia, is a combination of indurated and argillaceous limestone that also falls within the Ocala Group. The calcareous soils are the main abiotic factor driving the occurrence of blackland prairie vegetation within Georgia. The shrink-swell clays and alkaline pH of these soils account for a distinctive suite of vegetation not found elsewhere in the state. The Sumter Series most commonly underlies the study area and consists of shallow, alkaline, moderately well-drained silty clays underlain by marl, chalk, or limestone. The Oktibbeha, Boswell, and Susquehanna series are also present to a lesser extent and occur together in intricate patterns (Echols 2007).
Geographic Range: This vegetation type is restricted to the South Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.814166
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nh Southeastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D102 | 2.B.2.Nh |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nh.2 Southeastern Coastal Plain Patch Prairie Macrogroup | M309 | 2.B.2.Nh.2 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a Little Bluestem - Switchgrass - Bushy Bluestem Patch Prairie Group | G175 | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a |
| Alliance | A3318 Little Bluestem - Indiangrass Coastal Plain Prairie Alliance | A3318 | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004247 (Bastard Oak) / Indiangrass - Pinnate Prairie Coneflower - Diamond-flowers - (Dakota Mock Vervain) Georgia Chalk Prairie Grassland | CEGL004247 | 2.B.2.Nh.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Blackland Prairie (Klaus and Patrick 2002)
< Blackland Prairie (Peacock and Schauwecker 2003)
< Blackland Prairie (Echols 2007)
< Blackland Prairie (Peacock and Schauwecker 2003)
< Blackland Prairie (Echols 2007)
- Ambrose, Jon. Personal communication. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Echols, S. L., Jr. 2007. Vascular flora of the remnant blackland prairies and associated vegetation of Georgia. M.S. thesis, University of Georgia, Athens. 119 pp.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Govus, Tom. Personal communication. Ecologist. Ellijay, GA.
- Klaus, N., and T. Patrick. 2002. Draft management plan for the blackland prairies, Oaky Woods and Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area. Unpublished report to Nongame Wildlife and Natural Heritage Section, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle. 4 pp.
- Peacock, E., and T. Schauwecker, editors. 2003. Blackland prairies of the Gulf Coastal Plain: Nature, culture and sustainability. University of Alabama Press, Tuscaloosa. 348 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.